Notices for a Young Farmer. xxxvii 



proportioned and sightly animals are generally the most 

 valuable, hoth as it regards usefulness and keep. There are 

 exceptions ; in dairy cows particularly. Large horses, cattle, 

 sheep, and swine, are not the most profitable. Those of the 

 middle sizes are, on every account, to be preferred. Osten- 

 tation, (and, as it respects the horse particularly, a less in- 

 nocent motive,) more than real benefit, too often excites those 

 who value themselves on exhibiting very beautiful horses, 

 very large and very fat, (and of course very expensive,) cat- 

 tle, sheep, and swine. This may be, and is, a laudable pride 

 in those whose circumstances admit of indulging it ; and 

 breeding well formed and well endowed animals, is highly 

 worthy of encouragement and merited praise. But hardihood, 

 and easiness of keep, should be prominent qualities ; especial- 

 ly in the stock of a farmer. For such qualities, and many 

 other good properties, the Tunis sheep will be found worthy 

 of great attention. 



Our breeds of horned cattle particularly, are too little at- 

 tended to ; and dairy cows, especially, are with difficulty ob- 

 tained. True, the demand for them is much increased. But 

 this should operate as a stimulant to multiplying their num- 

 bers and attention to their breed ; which requires different 

 qualities, in many respects, from those fit for the knife. For 

 this reason, a variety, in breeding cattle for the specific pur- 

 poses to which they are devoted, should be carefully studied. 

 Mules are highly valuable ; but are not so generally used as 

 they should be. It would be well to spread this long lived, 

 hardy, and laborious animal, of the best kinds, through our 

 country. Breeding in and in, i. e. from the same family, is a 

 subject of diversity of opinion. No doubt a selection from a 

 large flock or herd, of the finest forms and qualities, however 

 near the blood, will generally ensure a good race. But when 

 the parent-stock is small in number, and kept too long on the 

 same farm, the experience of many respectable breeders is 

 decisively favourable to changes and crossing : exceptions 

 there are to this position ; and so there are to every general 

 observation and practice. It is generally agreed, that the 

 male stamps the character of blood and breed on the progeny, 



