92 BOARD OF AGEICULTURE. 



the sheep for mutton or wool, the hog for pork, but the horse 

 for such a variety of service that nature's standard here can 

 be preserved or imitated far better than in either of the other 

 departments. Accordingly we find upon the examination of 

 horses the rule practically holds good. If labor is the sole or 

 , principal object to be obtained in the ox, the size, the frame- 

 work, bones and muscles, the limbs, certain portions of the 

 body, external and internal, must be made prominent, must 

 be particularly developed ; but if beef is the principal object 

 sought, a different organization in some respects becomes 

 necessary. So of the cow ; if the dairy is the main object a vei*y 

 different class of organs must be developed. So of sheep ; 

 when the best and largest quantity of wool is desired a pecu- 

 liar organization must be looked after and cultivated. It re- 

 quires much time, care and patience to bring about these 

 changes ; for, if properly made, it must be slowly. Now, in 

 order to obtain the objects named in any one of the above 

 classes of animals, it becomes necessary to make very pre- 

 dominant a certain class of organs ; in so doing there is 

 danger that a different class of organs shall not be sufficiently 

 developed to carry on properly the functions of health and 

 life. This is not theory, but matter of fact. Nature has fixed 

 bounds, beyond which we cannot go in developing certain 

 parts, or perfecting the organization of any animaj for specific 

 purposes. Accordingly, it has been found, both in Great 

 Britain and our o^\ti countrj', that where certain stocks or 

 breeds have thus been kept up to a high standard for some 

 time, and attempts have been made to advance them still 

 higher, they have degenerated in spite of all the pains that 

 could be taken. It is highly imi^ortant to keep this princi- 

 ple constantly in view, and to understand, as far as possible, 

 these bounds or limitations of improvement. This fact also 

 aftbrds evidence in proof that there is somewhere in nature a 

 great law of propagation, of which these minor principles are 

 only " part and parcel ; " simply stems from the parent stock. 



QUALITY OF STRUCTURE. 



There is one feature or consideration in the matter of breed- 

 ing that should be kept constantly in view and made promin- 

 ent ; and that is, quality of structure, firmness of fibre and 



