140 Till-: I'KLXCIPLES OF AGRICULTURE. 



a higher degree than others. An opportunity is offered 

 to choose such breeds as are best adapted to the piirjtosc 

 retpiired. One breed of cows may liave a iiatuial ten- 

 dency to take on fat, or produce beef, Avliile anotlier will 

 tend to produce milk. One breed of horses is ada])ted 

 for speed, and another to draw heavy loads. Some 

 breeds of pigs will fatten rapidly while young, and 

 others not until they become older and larger. 



Economy requires that we select such breeds of the 

 different animals as possess in the most marked degree 

 the peculiarities required for the special purpose to which 

 they are devoted. 



Care. — The general care and treatment of animals is 

 as nnich a source of profit as a matter of sentiment. To 

 shelter stock in warm staljles in winter prevents a loss of 

 animal heat. The amount of food required to keep the 

 body warm depends largely upon the (luestion how fast 

 the body is cooled from without. When stock is kept in 

 tightly built stables, the warmth from the body is not re- 

 moved by drafts, but remains to elevate the temperature 

 of the air in the stable, and so prevents a rapid cooling 

 of the animal. 



Food that is not needed to produce animal heat is free 

 to serve other purposes. The extra food required to 

 keep up the tem])erature of a herd of animals in a cold 

 aj)artnient would, in a single winter, pay the cost of ren- 

 dei-iug the ai»aiinicnt tight and warm. 



Kindness. — Tlicrc is ])rorit as well as sontiuicut in 

 " kindness to animals." Tbc digestive and nulritivc pro- 

 cesses are largely influenced by tbc condition of the ner- 

 vous system. Animals which arc disposccl to light or 

 ainu)y each othei" will not tliriv(i so well as if kept apart, 

 or in more congenial conq)any. A hoi'se with an ii-i'ita- 



