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between the Herefords and the Durhams. The former are most profit- 

 able for grazing, and the latter for stall-feeding. The Durhams, when 

 in the stall, increase most rapidly in weight, and present at least a fair 

 and even carcass. 



There are four different breeds in Great Britain which are superior to 

 any other cattle in the world, and are adapted to different soils, situations, 

 and purposes : the Durhams and the Herefords for the best pastures ; the 

 North Devons for the short pastures on light soils ; and the Scots for 

 the wild and cold pasturage. The males of these breeds, with judicious 

 crossing, would improve all other breeds. The relative estimation of 

 the flesh of the principal breeds at Smithfield market, is quoted as fol- 

 lows, per stone of eight pounds to sink the offal : 



Scotch Oxen £0 4 8 



North Devons 4 G 



Leicester, Hereford, and fine Short-Horns . . 4 



Lincoln Short-Horns 3 10 



Coarse, inferior beasts . . . . . . 3 6 



To the Wisconsin breeder of cattle, it is a matter of the utmost impor- 

 tapce that he should select the most profitable breed with which to com- 

 mence the occupation of his land. The first object of attention, then, is 

 to consider the proportion between his stock and the quantity of food 

 which will be necessary to support them. The nature, situation and fer- 

 tility of the soils that compose his farm are equally worthy of notice, as 

 well as the purpose for which he designs more particularly to rear or 

 feed his cattle ; whether for the dairy or with a view of supplying the 

 market with fat cattle. 



Formerly a great prejudice prevailed in favor of big-boned, large 

 beasts, but it has been ascertained that this breed is, in point of profit, 

 much inferior to the middle-sized kind. The feeding and fattening of 

 cattle, whether for labor or for sale,' is the most important object in the 

 whole economy of the grass farm ; hence the nature and fertility of the 

 pastures should previously be considered, and the extent and quality of 

 his other resources. It is highly important to select those beasts only 

 which evince the most evident disposition to fatten with the least con- 

 sumption of food, and depasture them upon such lands as are best calcu- 

 lated for the respective breeds, especially taking care not to bring cattle 

 from rich to inferior soils, but wherever it is practicable, to choose them 

 15 



