FAT CATTLE. 163 



breed, distantly connected, reject second and third rate animals 

 for breeding purposes ; persevere until you have thoroughly 

 inbred every good quality and bred out every undesirable trait 

 and point. 



This is a work of time; but t\\e price — of reward — in the 

 pleasure and profit it will afford, will more than amply repay 

 the husbandman. We know of no reason why tlie farmers of 

 Worcester West may not more than rival Bakewell, the Ceilings 

 Brothers, and Bates, of English fame in breeding, and our own 

 prince of breeders this side the water, Thorn of Thorndale. 



A want of space would seem to forbid a more elaborate dis- 

 cussion of the principles here suggested ; but if, by these few 

 thoughts, we can awaken a greater interest in this most important 

 department of agriculture, or by these means draw from others 

 that which shall enable us to avoifl the failures of the past, and 

 in the future arrive at a higher standard of excellence, our 



object will be accomplished. 



T. P. Root, Chairman. 



FAT CATTLE. 



WORCESTER WEST. 



From the Report of the Committee. 



The majority of the fat oxen entered for premiums at this 

 fair were, in fact, working oxen ; cattle, as some of their owners 

 told us that day, that had done all the work on their farms the 

 past season, and yet they were good beef. This may seem 

 strange to some. I have had men ask me how it can be done. 

 I reply, select smart, thrifty, well-made cattle, with good dispo- 

 sition, active, matched for strength, with thin, soft skin, with 

 considerable Shorthorn blood. Such cattle, well cared for and 

 well fed, will do all any farmer ought to do and grow fleshy. 



There is a great change for the better in the general manage- 

 ment of working cattle within fifteen years ; then I remember 

 seeing a teamster driving a pair of oxen, and the snapper to his 

 whip was a tenpenny nail ; now we see, at the late fair, cattle 

 do all in their power, and the driver had nothing but a cotton 

 string on his whip-handle. Perhaps these are extreme cases, 



