No. 85.J 273 



question, and this brings us to the point for making the suggestions 

 we propose on the breed^ gearings training^ and general treatment of 

 the ox. 



As to the breed, there can be no doubt that if regard were had 

 alone to the working qualities of cattle, a skillful breeder might in a 

 series of years, not very long, manufacture out of our own country 

 cattle a race which would be as distinguished for quickness of motion 

 and endurance as, by like care and attention and skill, the improved 

 short horns have been made, and established for early maturity, sym- 

 metry and disposition to lay on flesh and fat on the most valuable 

 parts. There is, however, in the two cases, this obvious difference in 

 the system of breeding the horse and ox, which is a matter of neces- 

 sity militating against the ox and detracting from him on the score of 

 action, leaving it even a subject of surprise that he should be as quick 

 as he is. While the horse, for instance, is bred and cultivated with 

 a view to the possession and display of a single quality^ either high- 

 bred for light harness or the saddle, or cold-blooded, with weight to 

 be thrown into the collar, for the plow or heavy loads, for the cart or 

 wagon, true economy compels the husbandman as to his cattle, to 

 keep in view and to combine^ as far as he can, several objects in some 

 degree incompatible with each other, and with the highest attainable 

 degree of excellence in any particular one of them. Few, for in- 

 stance, could afford to breed cattle with exclusive reference to the 

 ■pail^ the yoke^ or the shambles I For either of these objects a differ- 

 ent breed would be taken, while, under all circumstances, for all these 

 purposes combined, we should pronounce in favor of the JYorth Devon. 

 It is from this stock that the famous New-England oxen are descend- 

 ed. Being of moderate size, and active and thrifty, they are adapted 

 to a wider range of country : and being in itself an unmixed distinct 

 natural breed, if we may say so, it transmits and preserves its peculiar 

 qualities with remarkable uniformity as to shape, size, color, temper 

 and action ; and without demanding, in order to keep them up to the 

 mark, that practiced skill and extraordinary care in the selection of 

 the breeding stock which has been for many years exercised in the 

 formation of some other artificial breeds, choosing for that purpose 

 individuals in every case most free from the defects, and possessing 

 the greatest number of the points which it may be the object of the 

 breeder to establish. 



In a correspondence between Dr. Mease of Philadelphia, and some 

 English stock-breeders of celebrity, one of them, Mr. Chandler, who 

 had repeatedly gained prizes at Smithfield for the cattle he had raised 

 or exhibited, says in his answer to certain inquiries — "Not being an 

 advocate for very large animals, or for feeding to excess, I have en- 

 deavored from experience to make use of that description of animals 

 which pay best for the food they eat, and are the readiest sale when 

 fit for market. I have in consequence used the Jforth Devons. They 

 are the best breed that I am acquainted with for the united purposes 

 of labor and feeding, being very active, fast walkers, quick feeders, of 

 a very good quality whem slaughtered, and of a size now very gene- 

 rally preferred in our markets to the very large beasts, being from 



[Senate, No. 85. J S 



