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THE FARMiiK'S MAGAZINE, 



vigorous habits of life. In the one case, the germ of 



disease localises itself upon an enfeebled organ possess- 

 ing but little energy of life to resist the destructive 

 agency ; in the other case, the vigorous action of the 

 part secures it from the influence of the disease, and 

 its injurious and prejudicial action is thus negatived. 

 Thus we observe that some animals have a predispo- 

 sition to disease, which is not evident amongst others. 

 We have seen instances of epidemic diseases occurring 

 amongst stock — all under a similar mode of treatment 

 — yet singling from amongst the herd or flock certain 

 individuals, which, from a delicacy of constitution, be- 

 comes the more easy prey to the enemy. 



In the instance of Master Butterfly, we have an 

 animal nourished under the most favourable circum- 

 stances, and brought to a high degree of perfection by 

 careful management and rich food ; and yet these cir- 

 cumstances were amongst the secret causes which co- 

 operated against the animal. The great advantages 

 which are realized by careful breeding from parents 

 of good pedigree are often accompanied by a delicacy 

 of constitution, and this is generally more evident upon 

 the lungs than any other part of the body. The ulti- 

 mate object we have in view is to obtain an animal 

 capable of producing fat and lean in the most econo- 

 mical manner, and consequently with the least waste 

 of the materials of the food consumed; such an object 

 requires that the lungs of the animal shall not only 

 be reduced in size, but also in energy. This renders 

 some of high-bred stock predisposed to diseases of the 

 lungs. In like manner, by the high feeding which is 

 adopted from the time of birth, the system is under 

 a constant high pressure of growth^ and every part of 

 the body which administers to its development is called 

 into active exercise ; thus it is kept in a highly pletho- 

 ric condition, which rather favours the progress of 

 disease. 



This rapid growth of the body, although it indi- 

 cates an energy of the system, cannot be taken as evi- 

 dence of natural vigour ; for the modified circum- 

 stances and conditions of life are so thoroughly 

 unnatural that it cannot produce this much-to-be 

 desired result. If the animals were ranging at liberty 

 with all the freedom enjoyed by its undomesticated 

 ancestry, its growth would be of a very different but 

 more natural character ; and in such case the rapidity 

 of its growth would be equalled by its vigour of con- 

 stitution and freedom from disease. We cannot, how- 

 ever, secure the same disposition for health and re- 

 sistance to disease when the habits of life and the 

 geneial development of the body are so completely re- 

 versed. It is a necessary consequent of domestication 

 that; in producing an animal of superior meat-forming 

 powers, although we can thereby more economically 

 change vegetable food into meat than by any other 

 means, still there is an accompanying necessity for 

 greater care and watchfulness on our part. 



These circumstances lead us to consider how far the 

 powers of the animal were adapted to contend against the 

 attacks of disease, and certainly the changes in climate 

 and the variations in temperature must have been ex- 

 ceedingly trying, with all the care taken during the 

 voyage. Unfortunately, as yet, for the breeders of stock 

 for our Colonies or the Continent, they cannot combine 

 the two results which they know are desirable. If 

 during the early growth of the animal it were kept 

 under a less degree of protection, allowed to take more 

 exercise, to seek shelter when it desired it, and at 

 other times to have the option of greater exposure, wo 

 should no doubt secure such an animal with a stronger 

 constitution, a more vigorous habit of body, and less lia- 

 bility to disease ; in short, it would be more competent 

 to contend with the difficulties and trials of a long sea 



voyage, the changes of climate, and be really a more 

 valuable animal. On the other hand, such a beast 

 would be inferior in its power of producing fat meat, 

 and in any exhibition would be beaten by others which 

 have been the subjects of a more pampered system. 

 Thus the animal which would be really the most suit- 

 able for transmission — that, in fact, which would be 

 most competent for the special duties required of it — 

 would be prejudiced in its market value by reason of a 

 preparation which confers upon it a decidedly greater 

 practical value. So long as this paradox exists in the 

 market, we cannot expect anj^ moditication of prac- 

 tice to be adopted, although indirect advantages might 

 be realized thereby. 



It is, however, necessary that the attention of 

 breeders should be drawn to a consideration of the 

 point. Any circumstances which prejudice the value 

 of our high-bred stock for the foreign market must be 

 guarded against as much as possible — whether it be 

 the quality of the stock, or their powers of jiroduc- 

 ing milk, or meat, or their liability to disease. 

 Whatever detracts from their value to the buyer, 

 must ultimately revert upon the seller individually, or 

 on the home market generally. We know that stock 

 in our own markets are very materially affected 

 in value by want of sufficient exposure to render them 

 hardy. In the Short-horn breed this is not so com- 

 mon as with Devons and Herefords, because the former 

 class, especially if they are well bred, are reserved for 

 warm, luxuriant, and favoured districts. In the Here- 

 ford and Devon breeds hardihood of constitution is 

 much more necessary, and, consequently, their mode 

 of wintering is carried out accordingly. Whilst shelter 

 is offered, they have also considerable freeilom of ac- 

 tion, and they only avail themselves of shelter in the 

 roughest weather. In this way we find them sent to 

 market in April, and even in May, with their winter 

 coats firm upon their backs, and they do not cust them 

 until the warm weather of spring enable them to do it 

 with safety. 



But what is the advantage of retaining their rough 

 coats so late ? Ask it of those who have given too 

 liberal shelter to their stock during the winter months, 

 and consequently turn them out to grass in May with 

 coats as beautifully smooth and glossy as can be ima- 

 gined, and these will have to report that, after a few 

 cold nights (for we are sure to get them, however 

 beautiful the days may be), coughs are not uncommon ; 

 whilst the animals look pinched up as with cold, and 

 certainly do not present a thriving appearance. If the 

 stock are tolerably hardy, they regain, after a time, the 

 condition thus lost, and again resume their appearance 

 of health ; but others with a natural predisposition to 

 disease favour a more permanent suffering, and 

 many instances of diseased lungs date from those 

 changes of temperature to which the stock have 

 been exposed ; and of these pulmonary attacks, the 

 larger proportion assume a similarity of character 

 to that which has deprived us of a bull of which we 

 were all justly proud. The breeders of first-class stock 

 are not ignorant of these difficulties, and the choice 

 which lies before them to produce the most valuable 

 animal, either as may be indicated by its money value 

 or its suitability to the foreign market. Ultimately 

 these must approximate more closely than at present ; 

 but, in the interim, it is well to be reminded of Ihe true 

 position in which English breeders are placed, and to 

 show — as we have endeavoured to do — that the per- 

 manency of the demand and the profits to be realized 

 depend upon the real value of the stock produced, and 

 their suitability for the purpose for which they were 

 purchased. 



