518 HANDY-BOOK OF HUSBANDRY. 



breed ; and not unfrequently there will be retained the size, sound- 

 ness, and adaptability to the climate and soil of the district, which 

 the common-bred herd possessed in marked degree. Of course, in 

 securing the good qualities of two classes of animals, there is always 

 the risk of perpetuating their bad qualities as well ; and attention 

 should always be given to the avoidance of individual elements of 

 weakness, on the side of both the sire and the dam, for it is a 

 well-known fact in breeding that defects are transmitted quite as 

 surely as are good qualities. 



As to the general hardiness of constitution, including good 

 appetite, cheerful spirits, and ability to withstand the rigors of 

 inclement seasons, so great is the flexibility of nature that I doubt 

 if very much is to be said in favor of any particular race or breed. 

 Treated in the same manner, all of the breeds of dairy cattle, pro- 

 vided, of course, that they are not exposed to undue hardships, 

 will be found to be about equal in this respect. It was for a long 

 time a popular objection to the Jerseys, that their delicacy of con- 

 formation and texture unfitted them for use in our more Northern 

 States. But the universal success that has attended their establish- 

 ment in eastern Massachusetts, (in probably the worst climate on 

 the Atlantic coast,) where they were introduced more than twenty 

 years ago, and where not only has the original stock been bred 

 pure, but almost yearly fresh importations have been added to 

 them, demonstrates the fact that this objection is a purely imagi- 

 nary one. Jerseys, although originating in the moderate and 

 humid climate of the English Channel, support as well the rigors 

 of our winters as the Ayrshires of Scotland do ; and there is no 

 doubt that the still more delicate animals of the Azores, with the 

 aid of judicious care in their first introduction, would compare 

 favorably with our native animals in their ability to withstand the 

 effect of the weather. The immense herds of animals brought 

 yearly from Texas to pass their winters in the open air in the 

 cold Northwest, sufficiently establish the soundness of the fore 

 going opinion. The Short-horn, a short and fine-haired animal, 

 which seems especially adapted to the soil and climate of Kentucky, 

 is nowhere raised in greater perfection than high among the moun- 



