22 AMERICAN CATTLE. 



In their new homes they have bred and multiplied, with equal, 

 if not better success than in the lands they left, although subjected 

 to the vicissitudes of change of locality, less care, and in many 

 instances, inadequate supplies of forage. The early cattle of 

 America had to contend with hardships, like their owners ; but 

 surmounting them all, they multiplied and thrived apace, soon 

 supplying all the wants of the increasing population, and yielding 

 provisions for a growing export trade abroad. In the southern 

 countries, they ranged on the fertile plains and sought their food 

 throughout the year, ignorant of enclosure, and needless of shel- 

 ter, while further north, as the climate became less favorable, and 

 more care for their welfare was demanded, they found equally 

 congenial homes amid the choicer grasses, and under the more 

 comfortable shelter provided by their possessors. 



The virgin soils of a new country are undoubtedly more free 

 from diseasing influences, than regions tilled or pastured for many 

 centuries. Yet, if annoyed by insects, or subjected to miasmatic 

 influences prejudicial to their welfare, in the new settlements, these 

 disappear with progressive cultivation, and in the two hundred 

 and fifty years of their existence on American soil, taken alto- 

 gether, our country has proved the healthiest cattle region in 

 the world. Neither " cattle plagues " or other deadly infectious 

 diseases have devastated our herds, unless in an occasional in- 

 stance by importation from abroad ; and although local disorders 

 to some extent have sometimes appeared, a timely care and pre- 

 caution have prevented their spread, and stopped their ravages. 



The various soils and elevations of America, furnish in abund- 

 ance their choicest food, and the only discretion needed for their 

 profitable culture is to select those varieties of cattle best appli- 

 cable to the positions they are to occupy, and the uses demanded 

 of them. Happily, these varieties are either already at hand, or 

 within available reach, and it only needs examination to deter- 

 mine the kinds required, and sufficient means to avail ourselves of 



