558 FARMER'S ASSISTANT. 



But Farmers in this Country, being but little used to rent- 

 ing farms, do but seldom enter into calculations of this 

 kind ; and by this mean the word stock has here acquired a 

 different meaning, in regard to farming-business ; it means 

 merely the number of cattle of different kinds which a 

 Farmer keeps on his farm. It would, nevertheless, be well 

 for those who are obliged to rent farms, in this Country, to 

 examine first whether they can acquire the requisite stock 

 for any farm, agreeably to the Eagiiah meaning, before they 

 attempt to hire; as by not having this they often injure 

 themselves, as well as their Landlords. 



Young stock are always more profitable than old ; as 

 these, when turned off to fat, do not answer so well as those 

 which are but little past their prime. It costs more to faten 

 old cattle, and their meat is not so valuable. 



Stock should be suitable 10 the soil on which they are 

 fed. If their pastures be chiefly dry hills, Sheep is the best. 

 If they be grounds fit for the cultivation of clover, and vari- 

 ous other grasses, the dairy, or fating of cattle, may be best. 

 And if they be wet grounds, which only produce coarse 

 grasses, the raising of Horses will be found most profitable. 

 The profit of raising Horses depends much on the Breed- 

 ing- marea, and also on the price which can be obtained for 

 Horses. Generally speaking, the Farmer will do better in 

 turning his attention to the best breeds of Sheep, if his 

 pasture-lands be suitable. The dairy is also profitable, 

 where properly managed with regard to the milk; and also 

 with regard to raising a due proportion of Swine, with the 

 aid of clover, and the skim-milk, whey, and buttermilk 

 together. 



See DAIRY and SWINE. ^ 



But as stocks of cattle are found' to degenerate, unless 

 pains be taken to prevent it, an essential point of husbandry 

 lies in taking the proper steps for improving the breeds. 

 Some Cows will give double the quantity of milk which 

 others give, and of better quality. Some Bulls beget much 

 finer and larger Calves than others. Some Smep bear 

 more wool, and of better quality, than others ; and some 

 Rams beget Lambs possessing these qualities in a superior 

 degree to others. Similar observations may be made of 

 some breeds of Horses and of Swine. The essential point, 

 therefore, is, for the Farmer to be diligent in selecting 

 those breeds which are found to be most valuable, as well 

 from those raised in his own stock, as from those which 

 may be obtained elsewhere. Let him persevere in constant- 

 ly selecting the best breeds for a stock, rejecting all others, 

 and he will presently find his stock very greatly improved. 



In Greutbritain, much pains are taken to improve the 

 breeds of cattle, and the success attending such exertions 



