CATTLE HUSBANDRY. 185 



THE PKmCIPLES OF BREEDING. 



BY CHAKLES L. FLINT. 



In conversing "with several farmers since coming to this 

 meeting, I find some regret expressed, that greater prominence 

 had not been given in the programme to the subject of cattle- 

 '' usbandry. The reason for the omission was, that the sub- 

 ject has been thoroughly discussed at former meetings of 

 the Board, often with the aid of distinguished scientific men 

 like Professor Agassiz, and of many practical breeders of 

 stock; and there seemed to be a propriety in adapting the 

 programme to what was supposed to be the points of greatest 

 interest in this locality. 



Now, as Judge Bennett is obliged to leave at this point, 

 so that we are compelled to lay the subject of farm law 

 upon the table, the Committee of Arrangements suggest that 

 the short time remaining this afternoon be devoted to the 

 consideration of this subject, and that I open it with some 

 remarks upon the general principles involved in the breed- 

 ing of our domestic animals. It is a subject to which I gave 

 considerable space in my treatise upon "Milch Cows and 

 Dairy Farming," published some years ago ; but it is as in- 

 teresting now as ever, and in fact it is constantly recurring 

 in the every-day life of the farm. 



Nature works according to fixed rules, which have received 

 the general designation of natural laws. It is true we may 

 find exceptions. Difference in circumstances will sometimes 

 lead to a variation in results ; but still there is, through all 

 experience, a connected thread of evidence of the existence 

 of well-established laws, and these laws, in their application 

 to the stock upon the farm, may be comprehended under the 

 general term of the principles of bPvEEDIXG. 



Nothing need be said of the importance of farm stock: it 

 is daily becoming more clearly recognized and appreciated ; 

 and so is the fact that the principles applicable to the whole 

 class can be studied and determined all the more satisfactorily 

 by studying individual cases. What farmer has not observed 

 the marked difference in the fattening capacities 'of his 

 various animals ? Some of them fatten so easily, that they 

 pay by their increase of weight for all the food v/hich they 

 consume ; while others would be expensive could they be re- 



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