FAKMEES' IXSTITUTES. 303 



years ago, it was a kind of gambling operation, a regular speculation, and set it 

 down as one of the things never to occur again. But wo find this scries of sales 



CD o 



in Kentucky after t'.vo years and average prices fully sustained, and this in the 

 face of the fact, that times are hard, money close, and likely to be so for a year 

 or two to come, or till we get back to a sound specie basis. Some men think it 

 will not pay to put a valualjle animal at the head of their herds. I will only 

 refer to Mr.' Megibben who paid ^12,000 for the Short Horn Bull 2d. Duke of 

 Oneida who says he has more than realized this sum yearly in additions to and 

 sales from his herd. This is only one instance of which many could be given. 



But to return to our question ; — In keeping pure-bred stock what should be 

 selected? Perhaps you are already prepared in part to anticipate me when I 

 say that each farmer must answer tliis for himself. I will, however, give a few 

 remarks on the capabilities and adaptabilities of some of the various breeds 

 which may aid you somewhat in your decision, and first I will speak of the 

 Short Horns. They are no doubt the finest grazier's stock we have ; and for 

 quantity and quality of beef, cannot be excelled. They were at first good 

 milkers, giving frequently 24 qts. daily. Emerson says of them, ''They have 

 been celebrated for ages as possessing extraordinary value as milkers, in which 

 quality they have never Ijeen excelled ; but when put to fatten were found slow 

 feeders, producing an inferior quality of beef." This you will observe is entirely 

 different from the present Short Horn cow, that has been so improved that 

 her progeny at two or three Avill fatten as readily as most Ijrecds at four ; and 

 this quality of early maturity and fattening is what makes them in so good 

 demand as butcher's stock and causes them to command from one to two cents 

 more per pound in market than others. But while breeding for these qualities 

 others have been neglected until in many of the highest priced families many of 

 the cows will hardly give milk enough to raise a calf avcII. Youatt says : "The 

 carcass has ever been so surprising, and justly valued, that many persons have 

 allowed that to completely occupy their attention, and the dairy has been disre- 

 garded. In such a state of things every advance toward one point has been to 

 recede from another." In fact almost every farmer knows how difficult it is to 

 fatten a cow with excellent milking qualities : while one that is a jooor milker 

 fattens quite readily. Their merits as working cattle are not great, as the quiet, 

 lethargic temperament, Avhich comes from their fattening qualities, makes them 

 slow and unprofitable. Indeed it is rather doubtful Avhether as a whole they 

 would be the cattle for raising, among a majority of Michigan farmers. The 

 good farmers may raise them successfully, but even then unless given excellent 

 care, they will not do as well as in the blue grass region in Kentucky, Avhere 

 the climate is more nearly like tliat in the valley of the Tees in England, where 

 they were bred for two centuries. Tlie Devons are better adapted to hilly and 

 scant pastures and will thrive Avith less care. They are beautiful cattle ; not 

 large milkers but the milk is richer than that of most other breeds ; and some 

 families even with careful breeding have yielded largely. As a Ijreed for general 

 use, they recommend themselves a^ combining labor, milk and l^eef , in not large, 

 but fair paying proportion. They are hardy enough to suit our climate, and 

 as Avorking oxen cannot be excelled. 



The Herefords are larger than the Devons and rather poor milkers, as a 

 AA'hole. They are larger boned than the Short Horns, though equalling them 

 often in weight, and are said to furnish a fine quality of marbled beef. 



The GalloAvay's, or Polled Cattle, are a race that originated in Scotland; are 

 hardy, rather small in size, medium milkers, and make excellent beef. They 



