THE ANIMAL KINGDOM. 165 



CATTLE HUSBANDRY. 



Dr. LoRiNG. On the subject of cattle husbandry I suppose 

 there is now but little difference of opinion. But if you 

 desire me to open the debate, I am happy to do so. 



I am glad to say, Mr. President and gentlemen, that there 

 is one branch of agricultural industry remaining in this 

 country which has not been affected, so for as I know, by the 

 cutting of the forests; the cattle still flourish "on a thousand 

 hills," and your call upon me to present this matter of discus- 

 sion, before the meeting, deprives me of the opportunity 

 which I desired, when the former debate was jjoinsr on, of 

 saying that I was hardly ready to accept, to its fullest extent, 

 the declaration that the forests controlled our climate. You 

 Avill pardon me one moment while I dwell upon this matter, 

 because it is one of such serious moment to man and beast, 

 that I have no courage to deal with the animal kingdom, until 

 I have given you and them the assurance that we can stand 

 it a little longer without covering our land with an unbroken 

 forest. 



I accept, generally, the statements made by a gentleman 

 more profound and older than I, in regard to this matter, and 

 I do it because there is no sight more delightful to my eyes 

 than that of a man passing down the declining years of life, 

 with the old enthusiasm for nature burning in his veins still; 

 and I assure you, one and all, farmers and scholars alike, that 

 while everything else passes away, you will find, that what- 

 ever natural object you have cherished in your youth, be it a 

 tree or an animal, that will remain by you in your declining 

 days ; and after your eyes have become so dim that your 

 books have no further charm for you, and your ears so deaf 

 that music has no joy for your soul, your cattle and your 

 hills and your trees, which you have cherished all your life, 

 will remain a source of happiness still. 



I like this enthusiasm for the forest and trees, and those 

 who cherish it I know will pardon me if I differ from them. 

 Mr. Emerson accepted, in a kindly and courteous way, differ- 

 ences of opinion that were advanced by one gentleman here 

 much younger than himself, and I know that he will be patient 



