140 THE PRINCIPLES OF AGRICULTURE. 



a higher degree than others. An opportunity is offered 

 to choose such breeds as are best adapted to the purpose 

 required. One breed of cows may have a natural ten- 

 dency to take on fat, or produce beef, while another will 

 tend to produce milk. One breed of horses is adapted 

 for speed, and another to draw heavy loads. Some 

 breeds of pigs will fatten rapidly while young, and 

 others not until they become older and larger. 



Economy requires that we select such breeds of the 

 different animals as possess in the most marked degree 

 the peculiarities required for the special purpose to which 

 they are devoted. 



Care. The general care and treatment of animals is 

 as much a source of profit as a matter of sentiment. To 

 shelter stock in warm stables in winter prevents a loss of 

 animal heat. The amount of food required to keep the 

 body warm depends largely upon the question how fast 

 the body is cooled from without. When stock is kept in 

 tightly built stables, the warmth from the body is not re- 

 moved by drafts, but remains to elevate the temperature 

 of the air in the stable, and so prevents a rapid cooling 

 of the animal. 



Food that is not needed to produce animal heat is free 

 to serve other purposes. The extra food required to 

 keep up the temperature of a herd of animals in a cold 

 apartment would, in a single winter, pay the cost of ren- 

 dering the apartment tight and warm. 



Kindness. There is profit as well as sentiment in 

 " kindness to animals." The digestive and nutritive pro- 

 cesses are largely influenced by the condition of the ner- 

 vous system. Animals which are disposed to fight or 

 annoy each other will not thrive so well as if kept apart, 

 or in more congenial company. A horse with an irrita- 



