258 AMERICAN CATTLE. 



full trial, he is not disappointed in his selection, that breed should 

 not be changed, unless under the sure conviction that he can 

 make a change for the better. The labor and experience of 

 years, when successful, no thriving man can afford to throw 

 away on a mere impulse, or venture; and only on a certainty 

 that a change will be advantageous to his interests. If he be a 

 dairyman himself, and a good one, he has probably established a 

 character and reputation for his butter or cheese, which might be 

 lessened either in price or quality by a change. If he breeds 

 milk cows for sale, he has also acquired a reputation for them, 

 which it is worth while to retain. 



When a fresh bull becomes necessary, he should combine the 

 same good qualities which have been cultivated in the herd, so 

 as to continue the uniformity of character already established in 

 it. The breeder should carefully look over the various points of 

 his cows; see where they are deficient, and obtain his bull as 

 perfect as possible in his own points, when a deficiency exists 

 in his cows, that in their future produce by him, those faults may 

 be corrected. The same rules in breeding grade animals to as 

 near perfection as possible, are to be observed, as in breeding 

 thorough breds. Recollect nature's unerring law is, "Like pro- 

 duces like;" and as the bull is to stamp his impress on the 

 produce of many cows, it is necessary that he combine all the 

 good qualities possible to be concentrated in him. Nor, when 

 he possesses extraordinary good qualities, should a moderately 

 high price in his purchase, over an ordinary one, be objected to. 

 Pay the advanced price cheerfully, for it will be repaid ten-fold 

 in his produce, perhaps the first year of his use. Good-looking 

 animals of any kind will always sell for more than those of 

 ordinary appearance. It costs no more to raise them than ugly 

 ones, and as a rule, the more perfect the proportions of the 

 animal, the less food it requires for subsistence. 



