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improved breed m\\ lose ground, and most rapidly decline, from 

 poor feed. 



The proper age for breeding depends on various circumstances. 

 Among the short horns, the heifers should run till two and a half, 

 or three years old. For their young are then larger, finer, and 

 more valuable, although the cost of their keeping must be taken 

 into the account. The custom of putting the heifer to the male at 

 one year old, cannot be too strongly condemned. 



The bull should not be suffered to run with the young stock. He 

 had better be separated from them altogether. He will come into 

 season at two years old, but is better at three. 



Gentlemen, I have said that the book of nature is open to all, so 

 that " he who runs may read." In the field of science there are 

 no inclosures or " preserves," for the benefit of a favored few. No 

 line of demarkation obstructs the progress of the inquirer after 

 truth, as if to say, " Thus far shalt thou go, and no farther." All, 

 without distinction, are admitted, and are entitled to range with 

 freedom, and may at all times indulge their curiosity and satisfy their 

 thirst after knowledge, in any part of her illimitable domain. 



" Thus, then, to man, the voice of nature spake : 

 Go ! from the creatures thy instructions take : 

 Learn from the birds -what food the thickets yield, 

 Learn from the beasts the physic of the field ;" 



" Thy art of building from the bee receive ; 

 Learn from the mole to plough ; the -worm, to Tveave ; 

 Learn from the little nautilus to sail, 

 Spread the thin oar, and catch the driving gale.'' 



I would here remark, that I propose to deliver a course of lectures 

 on this subject, during the coming winter ; and that I shall en- 

 deavor to make those lectures as plain and interesting as possible. 

 The way is yet untrodden, and I shall have to trace out a new path ; 

 yet by perseverance many difficulties may be surmounted. And as 

 with our ordinary walks in life, so with this, — the longer we wa'k 

 therein the smoother it becomes. 



Gentlemen, I have done. Some of you, I fear, Avill have 

 thought me tedious ; and others will be inclined to say that I have 

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