582 EUROPEAN AGRICULTURE. 



they will be more under his inspection and control ; they will 

 give him. equal, and, according to the opinions of many experi 

 enced farmers, greater returns in beef, butter, and cheese, than 

 if kept in the ordinary way. Above all, the extraordinary and 

 valuable increase of his manure-heap and cistern, under such 

 circumstances, is a consideration over all others. Next to labor, 

 manure is the great element of a farmer s prosperity. 



4. IMPROVEMENT OF LIVE STOCK. The fourth great matter 

 to which I would call the farmer s attention is the improvement 

 of his live stock. It is difficult to speak too highly of the skill 

 and success of the English in the improvement of their breeds 

 of sheep, swine, cattle, and, I will add, horses. I do not say 

 that their breeds are all such as are best adapted for the United 

 States. I need not repeat the opinions which I have already 

 given in this matter. Different breeds of animals are suited to 

 particular localities; and the extent of the United States presents 

 every variety of aspect, soil, and climate ; and is marked by dif 

 ferent kinds of husbandry, such as the raising of stock for beef 

 or labor ; the growing of wool, fine or coarse, short or long ; and 

 the produce of the dairy. These points are all to be considered 

 in the selection of a stock for breeding. An improved Durham 

 short-horn would thrive and develop all his richness and beauty 

 in the fertile meadows of Kentucky and Ohio, and the rich 

 prairies of the west, who would become poor and dwarfish in 

 some of the rocky and almost barren pastures of the north. But 

 that to which I wish particularly to call the attention of tht 

 farmers of the United States is, the improvement of their stock 

 by patient care, skill, and selection. They may import animal, 

 of improved breeds to advantage ; they may cross the best of 

 their own stocks with the best animals which they can find ; 

 and, above all, let them determine always to select the best 

 animals for breeding, and breed only from the best ; never sacri 

 fice a superior calf or lamb to the butcher, nor be satisfied with 

 the services of inferior animals for the increase of their stock, 

 under which they would be sure to deteriorate. 



5. IMPROVED ARTICLES OF CULTURE. The next matter to 

 which I beg their attention, is the cultivation of esculent vegeta 

 bles, the improvement of plants, and the introduction of new 



