Live Stock Age of put ting Heifers to the JBull. 665 



In the latter method there is the advantage of a larger fupply of manure, efpe- 

 cially where the farmer has the convenience of plenty of litter. Where,however, the 

 farmer has convenience, the former method is probably in general the moft bene 

 ficial. In either mode of management much attention is necefiary to keeping 

 the ftock conftamly fupplied in an evenly proportioned manner, as in this way 

 there will be great advantage both in the favingof food and the condition of the 



animals. 



The moft proper age at which cattle fhould be made to become productive is a 

 point of much importance, but which probably requires more experiments 

 than have yet been inftituted to fully afcertain it. Much may perhaps depend upon 

 climate, lituation, and the manner in which they have been reared and kept ; as 

 where the fituation is favourable and the keep rich and good, they may be em 

 ployed in this way earlier than where it is more expofed, and the keep indif 

 ferent. 



This is fupported by the obfervation of Mr. Marmall, that in Yorkfhire while 

 the lands were in the ftate of commonage the heifers Cf were frequently kept from 

 the bull until they were three years old ; now, in the ftate of inclofure and improve 

 ment, and at the prefent high rents, they are frequently fuffered to take the bull 

 when yearlings,bringing calves at two years old. The arguments for bringing heifers 

 in at two years old are, that they come fooner to profit ; and that farmers cannot 

 afford at the prefent rate of rents, to let them run unprofitably, until they be. three 

 years old. On the other hand the argument in favour of bringing them in at three 

 years qld is, that not being (tinted in their growth, they make larger and finer 

 cows than thofe which are fuffered to bear calves at a more early age.&quot; 



The fuperiority in the profit of thefe different practices has not been yet ex 

 perimentally determined, but as it can fcarcely be doubted but that an unfavour 

 able check muft be given to the growth of the cows as well as their offspring, by 

 their being made to produce at an early age before they have attained their full 

 maturity, from their not being able to take in and digeft a fufficiency of food for 

 their own increafing growth, and the perfect fupport of the young animal, it may 

 be the beft method to purfue a middle courfe, fo as to bring them in on the 

 rich lands, where the effect juft noticed may be the moft fully counteracted, tu 

 two years old, and in other cafes where the keep is inferioi at three. By this 

 practice the intereft of the farmer may be beft promoted in all cafes, and the lealt 



vot. ir. 4 



