FARMER'S ASSISTANT. 3*9 



four long elastic teats, together with every other token re- 

 quisite in a Bull, allowing tor the difference of sex They 

 should also be young; for Milch-kine are not good for 

 breeding after they are twelve; though they will often live 

 much longer, if kept well and free from diseases.' 



Heifers generally arrive at the age of puberty when they 

 are eighteen months; though instances have occured where 

 they have brought forth Calves before that time. The bet- 

 ter they are kept the sooner they will breed. If, however, 

 they breed so early, they should be highly kept; for, other- 

 wise, they will be apt to be stinted in their subsequent 

 growth. 



Mr. Bakewell used to keep his Dishly breed of Heifers 

 from the Bull until the age of three ; but Sir John Sinclair 

 attributes to this their often missing being with Calf. It is 

 believed to be best to follow Nature's law : Let them go to 

 the Bull as soon as they feel the inclination. 



Breeds of cattle are usually much improved by crossing 

 or mixing different kinds together ; and it also seems es- 

 sential that there should be no pro-creation between animals 

 which are nearly related. Let there be little or no consan- 

 guinity between the Bull and the Cow which is put to him. 

 This seems to be agreeable to the laws of Nature; and, 

 among Men, is strikingly exemplified in the degeneracy 

 f the race, where the Peasantry of some small secluded 

 districts constantly intermarry with Relatives ; or where the 

 pride of Families has served to preclude a due intermix- 

 ture with others. 



But in the best breeds of all animals, some of their young 

 will always be found more promising than others; among 

 cattle, therefore, where a selection is to be made, pains 

 should be constantly taken to select the most promising 

 for raising; provided they are brought forth in the pro- 

 per season; and this for Calves should be early in the 

 Spring. Those brought forth late will not so well endure 

 the succeeding Winter; and, if Heifers, will usually go 

 to the third year, before they are with Calf; while those, 

 which are earlier calved, will usually bring forth a year 

 sooner. 



In the selection and improvement of breeds of cattle, a 

 due regard is to be had to the uses for which they are in- 

 tended. Thus, if the best Milch-cows are desired, select 

 from the breeds of those which are known to be the best 

 for that use ; that is, admiting the size to be equal, those 

 which yield the most of such cream as makes the best but- 

 ter, in any one year, are generally to be prefered. This is 

 to be ascertained by keeping the milk of different Cows 

 separate, and then the quantity and quality of their products 

 Can be easily determined, 



