PREFACE TO FIRST EDITION. 



From early boyhood I have been a lover of good stock, familiar 

 with the everyday, practical work in handling and feeding ; and when, 

 as a student in one of our agricultural colleges, my attention was first 

 drawn to the need for a suitable text-book on domestic animals, I began 

 a more extended study, with the purpose in view which I have since 

 striven to accomplish. 



In presenting this volume to the public, I desire especially to ac- 

 knowledge the kindly encouragement received from my co-workers in 

 the line of agricultural instruction. Many, like myself, have been giving 

 lectures to their students on the subjects treated in these pages, and, 

 from very lack of time, the lectures have been incomplete and unsatis- 

 factory. The urgent requests which have reached me, especially during 

 the past year, have greatly encouraged me to push forward the work. 

 From another class the general stockman and farmer has come a still 

 more urgent demand for information of this character. I have received 

 many inquiries which these pages will answer, and, while the successful 

 stockman is one who understands his work, I trust all will find much of 

 interest and something of profit in their perusal. 



The statements of actual methods pursued by successful breeders 

 in different parts of the country will be found of great value. There 

 are many young farmers, and perhaps some older ones, who are in need 

 of information of a practical kind regarding the " points" in handling 

 stock, and for all such, the letters from practical men given in the Chap- 

 ters on Care and Management are worthy most careful study. 



In all assertions as to average weights for the different breeds, it 

 must be remembered that animals are frequently found which exceed 

 the weights given, and others, just as frequently, which fall below them. 

 It is very difficult to make statements of this kind which will not be 

 subject, perhaps justly, to criticism from partisans of the several breeds; 

 but it has been my aim to give what I believe to be the truth, regardless 

 of whose shoulders it may strike most heavily. 



The statements regarding ease of acclimation in the fever belt are 

 made after a very careful study of the subject for the last five years, 

 and an extensive correspondence with breeders and importers of north- 

 ern bred stock especially cattle in the states bordering the Gulf of 

 Mexico. 



It is believed that full credit has been given for every quotation; but 



