ANIMALS. 139 



man. The better the animal, the better the work 

 accomplished. 



A locomotive engine supplied with water and fuel is 

 able to draw a train of cars. Another engine, more per- 

 fectly constructed, but supplied with the same amount of 

 fuel, might produce force enough to draw a train much 

 heavier. The same is true in feeding animals. Econ- 

 omy and profit in stock husbandry require that poor ani- 

 mals shall be discarded, and that the crops of the farm 

 shall be fed only to such as are able to render good 

 returns. 



Health. The health or thrift of animals is a matter 

 that should receive careful attention. As good health 

 promotes comfort, we should care for the health of our 

 animals on the ground of humane treatment. But the 

 question has a practical bearing also upon the profits of 

 feeding. The more vigorous the health, the greater the 

 returns for the food. One animal may thrive and in- 

 crease in weight upon food with which another, in less 

 vigorous health, would grow poor. 



One cow with the same food as another may produce 

 much more milk, on account of being in better health, 

 and possessing greater power to digest food. 



Breeds. By the law of heredity, animals tend to trans- 

 mit to their young their own qualities and peculiarities. 

 It is therefore important, in selecting young animals 

 to be raised, to make choice of those descended from 

 animals known to possess desirable qualities. 



The common pure breeds are simply families of ani- 

 mals whose ancestors were selected for their excellence 

 in certain directions. 



The advantage of thoroughbred animals consists in 

 the fact that they possess certain particular qualities in 



