85 



are most distinctly marked, and whose blood is most pure, 

 there will be found always accidental individuals deficient in 

 the peculiar properties of the race, or whose characteristic prop- 

 erties seem almost the reverse of those from whom they are 

 descended. So likewise among a stock the most mixed and 

 miscellaneous, as that, for example, which is called our native 

 breed, may occasionally be found individual animals of re- 

 markable excellence for the stall or for the dairy. But not- 

 withstanding these peculiar instances, which seem to transcend 

 or subvert the general laws of nature, it would be idle to pre- 

 tend that breeding is mere matter of chance ; and prejudicial to 

 the true interest of the farmers to overlook the material and 

 established facts connected with this subject. 



The great principle of correspondence between the offspring 

 and the parent, and the settled point that like has always a 

 tendency to produce like, need no confirmation. As yet, how- 

 ever, as already remarked, no systematical attempt has been 

 made in this county with a view to establish a breed of ani- 

 mals for the stall ; but farmers depend altogether upon chance- 

 selections for this object. Franklin County does not produce 

 much live stock. But it is believed that by extending their culti- 

 vation, the farmers might raise with advantage many more than 

 they do ; and. either by the introduction of new breeds or a 

 more careful selection of those from which they breed, they 

 might efl"ect valuable and needed improvements. 



The introduction of several of the most esteemed foreign 

 breeds into the country presents an opportunity to the farmers 

 in every part of the Commonwealth to avail themselves of the 

 advantages of these improvements, made abroad at an extraor- 

 dinary expense of money, skill and labor, as far as they may 

 deem these improvements desirable. 



In animals designed for the stall, what is first of all things 

 to be sought is thrift, or a tendency to keep in good condition, 

 and to make profitable returns for the care bestowed and the 

 feed supplied to them. In this respect different races of ani- 

 mals differ essentially. I have remarked that individuals 



