258 AMERICAN AGRICULTURE. 



not only manifest in their numbers, but in the gradual and 

 steady improvement of the species. It may be safely pre- 

 dicted, that, this improvement will not only be sustained, but 

 largely increased, for there are some intelligent and spirited 

 breeders to be found in every section of the country, whose 

 liberal exertions and powerful examples are doing much For 

 this object. Wherever intelligence and sound judgment are 

 to be found, it will be impossible long to resist the effects of 

 a comparison between animals, which on an equal quantity of 

 the same food, with the same attention and in the same time, 

 will return 50, 20, or even a less per cent, more in their in- 

 trinsic value or marketable product, than the .ordinary class. 

 This improvement has relatively been, most conspicuous in 

 the western and southern states, not that the present average 

 of excellence in their animals surpasses or even reaches that 

 of the north and east ; but the latter have long been pursu- 

 ing this object, with more or less energy, and they have for 

 many years had large numbers of excellent specimens of each 

 variety ; while with few exceptions, if we exclude the blood- 

 horse or racing nag, the former have till recently, paid com- 

 paratively little attention to the improvement of their domestic 

 animals. The spirit for improvement through extensive sec- 

 tions, is now awakened, and the older settled portions of the 

 country may hereafter expect competitors, whose success 

 will be Fully commensurate with their own. Before going 

 into the management of the different varieties, we will give 

 some general principles and remarks applicable to the treat- 

 ment of all. 



The purpose for which animals are required^ is first of con- 

 sequence to be determined, before, selecting such as may be 

 necessary either For breeding or use. Throughout the north- 

 eastern states, cows for the dairy, oxen for the yoke, and both 

 foi the butcher, are wanted. In much of the west and south, 

 beef alone is the principal object, while the dairy is neglected, 

 ;i IK! the work of the ox is seldom relied on except for occa- 

 sional drudgery. Sheep may be wanted almost exclusively 

 For the fleece, or For the fleece and heavy mutton, or in the 

 neighborhood of markets, for large, early lambs. The pos- 

 tures and winter food, climate and other conditions, present 

 additional circumstances, which should be well considered 

 before determining on the particular breed, either of cattle 

 or sheep, that will best promote the interest of the farmer. 

 The kind of work for which the horse may be wanted, 

 whether as a roadster, For the saddle, as a heavy team horse 



