L lve- Stock Properties to be regarded in Early Maturity Ftyl: 643 



much upon the colour, but perhaps on the breed, and the manner in which the ani 

 mal has been reared. 



There is another property which is of great confequence to the breeder, as much 

 of his profits muft always depend, in a great degree, upon it. This is that of quick- 

 nefs in arriving at the Mate of maturity. With this the abundance of fupply is 

 likewife, in a great meafure, connected: of courfe it is a property that greatly in- 

 terefts the public as well as the farmer, and on both accounts deferves the particu 

 lar attention of the breeder. It is probable that fome forts of ftock, from their 

 labour, or the produce which they afford, may be kept longer with profit by the 

 farmer than others. This has been fuppofedto be the cafe with neat cattle, though 

 not with fheep; but the difti notion is perhaps not well founded, as the latter ob- 

 vioufly afford a return in various ways.* 1 



It is evident that themanner in which animals are fed muff have much influence 

 in this refpect ; as when, from the conftant full fupplies of food, they are always 

 kept in a thriving condition, they will of courfe arrive much earlier at the ftate 

 of maturity than under the contrary circumftances. This will be the cafe, what 

 ever the nature of the flock may be. It has been afTerted that, under this mode, a 

 greater progrefs is made in three years than in the ordinary pinching method of 

 rearing is effected in five.f The necefllty of not fuffering animals to be checked 

 or ftunted in their early growth, by the want of proper care, food, and warmth, is 

 thus fully evinced. This is therefore a point that mould never be loft fight of by 

 the careful breeder in the raifingof his live flock. 



It is fcarcely necefiary, after the obfervations that have been made above, to fay 

 any thing in addition reflecting the nature or quality of the flefh of animals, as it 

 would feem to be a property inherent in the mufcular fubftance, and probably 

 depending in a. great meafure, if not wholly, on the breed. It is indeed obferved 

 by Mr. Marfhall, in fpeaking of the breeding of animals in the Midland diflricts, 

 where thc/c/ft is &quot; fpoken of with the fame familiarity as the hide or the fleece,&quot; 

 that the grain is clearly underftood to depend wholly on the lreed t and not, as has 

 been heretofore confidered, on they/2&amp;lt;f of the animal.&quot; 



The difference in the flavour of the flefh of different breeds or varieties of animals 

 would feem to depend in a great degree on the nature of the food ; while that of 

 colour is probably in a great meafure fixed and inherent, and the effect of breed ? 



* Sir John Sinclair ia Farmer s Magazine, vol. Ill, t Ikid. 



