iiff AGRICULTURAL ESSAT^S. 



Neat Cattle. 



The neat cattle in the United States, are evidently mixtures 

 of various breeds, from different stocks, which have, in their 

 origin, distinct and specific characters. This mixture has not 

 probably diminished the aggregate value of the stock. 



The distinct breeds as they are known in Great-Britain, will 

 not generally be distinguished in our courtry by distinct and 

 peculiar characteristics, until they are made so by the obser- 

 vations and practice of our farmers, in keeping them which 

 have peculiar properties from intermixing with others posses- 

 sing different properties. . 



The cattle, in Great Britain, which are called by particular 

 names, as the Devonshire, the Lancashire, &c. originated from 

 a stock possessing some peculiar valuable properties, for which 

 they were originally distinguished. But it is by no means cer- 

 tain that the cattle, which may be caUed by tliose particular 

 names in this country, possess their original valuable proper- 

 ties. These names are indeed convenient to distinguish a par^ 

 ticular breed. But they are made use of doubtless, in market, 

 very often, for the purposes of speculation and fraud. Names 

 furnish no more evidence of peculiar valuable qualifications a- 

 mong cattle, than they do among political sects. 



Our citizens, therefore, who purchase cattle for the purpose 

 of improving the breed, should be careful to see that they do 

 possess the qualities for which they are characterized, rather 

 than rely on names as evidence of those properties. 



Those who go into Great-Britain themselves, for the purpose 

 of making purchases to improve our breed, are perhaps not so 

 likely to be imposed upon by names, as our citizens are, who 

 purchase here, without any historical knowledge of the origin 

 of those cattle which are imported. , . , 



But if there is no fraud practiced in the sale of imported cat- 

 tle, still it is believed our breed of cattle may be sufficiently im. 

 proved for every valuable purpose, at much less expense than 

 by importing them. , 



There can be no doubt but that among our mongrel breed 

 of cattle, all the properties may be found, which distinguish the 

 various breeds in Great-Britain ; and as breeds of cattle areu- 

 aually much improved by crossing or mixing different kinds to^ 

 eether we have no reason to believe that these properties are 

 diminished in value, or that, on the whole, the stock is degener- 



Put very fe^ of our citizens have capit^il sufficient ; and very; 



