N<;. 6. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 231 



purpose. As soon as the very general custom of breeding the old, 

 worn out or vicious mare to the lowest priced horse is abandoned, 

 breeding will cease to be a lottery, and will be followed by regular and 

 satisfactory results. 



We have nothing to urge as to breeds. IJut we may say in passing, 

 that location has much to do with the kiud that should be raised, and 

 that each breeder should consider carefully what breed is best 

 adapted to his work and for his personal use. He will then find that 

 he will be successful, «o matter what breed he may select, for there 

 is a ready market open for good horses of any kind, but they must be 

 good to bring the highest prices. 



The success or failure in raising even a well-bred colt, depends 

 very largely upon the care and attention it receives during its grow- 

 ing years; at a time when its size, disposition, feet, legs, joints and 

 even general conformation will yield to treatment received — be it 

 good or bad. 



Mules are taking quite a prominent place in the work teams of the 

 State, and command quite good prices; perhaps more uniform than 

 those for horses, and are quoted |.5 per head higher. There have been 

 quantities of mule colts six months to one year old shipped into this 

 State from the south during the past year, and are being purchased 

 by farmers for feeding purposes instead of cattle, at from |30 to |60 

 per head. We believe, if present prices continue a few years, these 

 animals will yield a fair compensation for feed and care, as they gen- 

 erally find a more ready market than horses, and at much better 

 prices. 



The dairy cow is notably conspicious in many counties, and her 

 products throughout the entire State. She represents |42,000,000 and 

 should yield returns in proportion. While many herds of cows are 

 kept in Pennsylvania that yield a very satisfactory return for feed, 

 care, etc., with a fair profit to the owner, it is a well-known fact that 

 such herds are greatly in the minority; the large majority of the 

 herds being managed in a careless, slip-shod, go-as-you-please manoer, 

 and of course not yielding a living profit to the owner. There are 

 surely too many cows kept whose ability to produce marketable pro- 

 ducts is below the limit, which will insure a fair compensation for 

 food consumed, and the care and labor bestowed. There are very 

 few dairies to be found in w^hich there is not a large percentage of 

 a«imals kept at the expense of the more productive members therein. 

 These must reduce the per capita production very seriously; very 

 often, we think, below the cost of maintaining the entire herd. For 

 this condition there are several causes assigned. 



First, a lack of knowledge of the productivity of each animal ; sec- 

 ond, a lack of care of the entire herd; third, poor breeding; fourth, 



