92 



It has been made a question, whether heifers are not more 

 profitable than steers. They are as thrifty, and, in general, 

 pay as well for their keeping. It is the practice of some farm- 

 ers, to allow them to come in with calves at two years old ; 

 if at that time they promise well as cows, a good market can 

 almost always be found for them ; but if otherwise, after suck- 

 ling the calf three months or more, they are turned out to 

 be fatted for beef, and are either sold immediately at the close 

 of the pasturing season, or otherwise, after being stall-fed for a 

 short time. Their meat, if well fed, is always highly esteem- 

 ed. This proves, in general, a good operation. In England, 

 heifers designed for the stall are very frequently spayed^ by 

 which their thrift is greatly assisted. This is often done in 

 Kentucky and some other of the Western States ; but I have 

 never known more than one instance of its being practised in 

 New England. I do not feel authorized, therefore, to pronounce 

 upon ils advantages. 



It is sometimes asked, whether oxen are injured in their 

 growth for being worked. If their strength is prematurely 

 and too severely taxed, or if they are subjected to severe usage, 

 undoubtedly it must prove injurious ; but, if otherwise, if reas- 

 onably worked and carefully and kindly attended, there is no 

 doubt that their health and growth are promoted by it. It is 

 often matter of inquiry, whether fatting cattle should be kept in 

 close stalls, or be suffered to lie out-doors. The experience of all 

 the farmers whom I have consulted, who have made any trial, 

 is conclusive in this case, in favor of the superior thrift of ani- 

 mals kept constantly in the barn, or turned out only for water- 

 ing and immediately put up again, over those which are kept in 

 open sheds, or tied up for feeding only, and at other times al- 

 lowed to lie in the yard. No exact experiments have been 

 made in this county in relation to this subject ; but experi- 

 ments made abroad lead to the conclusion, that cattle thrive 

 best in a high and equable temperature, so warm as to keep 

 them constantly in a state of active perspiration, and that their 

 thrift is much hindered by an exposure to severe alternations 



