248 AMERICAN CATTLE. 



"It may also be stated that though a moderate supply of fatty 

 matter is desirable in the food, still, it should be limited, so as to 

 prevent any unhealthy accumulations of fat in or about the 

 breeding organs; and it should always be accompanied by food 

 rich in albuminous matter. 



"The influence of climate upon the health of our domesticated 

 animals, has never received that attention which it merits. I have 

 already made some reference to the effect of a change of climate 

 upon the breeding powers, and I may add, that the beneficial 

 influence extends both to male and female. The results which 

 have attended the importation of English stock, which had been 

 exported to other climates, or their immediate descendants, show 

 that considerable advantage is often realized in this manner, and 

 the practice is probably capable of extension. It is, however, 

 well worthy of an inquiry, whether we do not possess in our 

 country sufficient variation of climate and district, to accomplish 

 the desired results at less cost. There is undoubted evidence 

 to show that we may thus engraft upon our stock greater consti- 

 tutional strength. 



"The formation of milk is intimately connected with the repro- 

 ductive powers. The secretion of milk is dependent upon the 

 activity of the mammary glands; and these are either under the 

 direct influence of the breeding organs, or else they sympathize 

 very closely with them. Those animals which breed with the 

 least difficulty, yield the best supplies of milk, and produce the 

 most healthy and vigorous offspring. Now, it must be admitted, 

 that however much we have improved the symmetry and feeding 

 power of stock, we have suffered them to deteriorate in value as 

 breeding animals, by the decrease of their milking capabilities. 

 In proportion as we adopt a more natural system of manage- 

 ment, for the purpose of keeping stock in a healthy and vigorous 

 breeding condition, so shall we reap the indirect benefit of a 

 better supply of milk. It is true, that a deficiency in the yield 



