AGEICULTUKE.] 



CATTLE, AND THEIE VAEIETIES. [cattle-beeeding. 



and pasture, crossing advantageously with our 

 best niilchers, producing profitable dairy cows, 

 and superior working oxen, that are unequalled 

 for wading through deep snow^ In the United 

 States such associations are also numerous. 



The annual Sraithfield Show in the me- 

 tropolis is interesting, not only to those imme- 

 diately engaged in agricultural pursuits, but to 

 every one who reflects upon the importance of 

 the ox in a commercial sense, independently of 

 every other consideration. Here are to be seen 

 the results of exertions, principally carried on 

 during the last ninety years, to unite and 

 bring to perfection the most desirable points in 

 the various breeds of domestic animals which 

 were once peculiar to different parts of Great 

 Eritain, but are now spread, in their improved 

 form, over every part of the country. In con- 

 nection with them are to be seen agricultural 

 implements and machinery of the latest and 

 most improved construction ; roots and plants 

 adapted to our climate, but which are as yet 

 comparatively unknown ; specimens of artificial 

 manures, and of the soils of districts diflering 

 from each other in their geological formation. 

 In spite of all the advances which agriculture 

 has made during the present century, how 

 slowly do improvements extend beyond the 

 intelligent circle in which they are first adopted: 

 but it is one of the great advantages of cattle 

 exhibitions to spread them more rapidly and 

 widely, by drawing the agriculturist from the 

 secluded scenes in which he carries on his 

 occupations, and bringing them before him in 

 the manner best calculated to demonstrate their 

 utility. A prize ox or sheep is fatter than the 

 ordinary market requires ; and hence it is often 

 supposed that the stimulus of prizes for briiiging 

 nn animal into a state of unnecessary fatness 

 is altogether a work of supererogation. But 

 the power of reaching an excessive size is 

 E-imply a test. A piece of artillery is tried by 

 a charge greater than is ever required in ordi- 

 nary practice ; and an ox is fattened for 

 exhibition beyond a useful marketable condi- 

 tion, simply to show the capacity of the breed 

 for acquiring, at the least expense of food, and 

 at the earliest age, such a condition as the 

 public demaud really renders necessary. 



If we look at the farmer of a former period, 

 located generally in some isolated spot — his 

 very vocation keeping him, as it were, apart 

 652 



and separate irom others — his only opportu- 

 nity of meeting with his fellow-agriculturists 

 being, probably, confined to the weekly market 

 at the county town — the means of travelling 

 being limited, and communication, even by 

 letter, restricted by the expensiveuess of trans- 

 mission — there was nothing left for him but to 

 continue in the practices handed down to him. 

 The very situation made him cling to old recol- 

 lections ; and hence, no doubt, has, in part, 

 arisen the character imputed to him, of a dis- 

 like to innovation, and an obstinate adherence 

 to the routine of a bygone age, even possibly 

 when his judgment had been awakened by the 

 progress he saw around him. But what a 

 change is now presented ! His means of com- 

 munication have been expanded ; the power of 

 steam has opened up a speedier as well as a 

 cheaper mode of transit ; the researches of the 

 chemist have brought about a change in agri- 

 cultural operations ; and, to keep up with the 

 spirit of the age, he is, in a manner, compelled 

 to unite with his fellows, in order that he may 

 learn, and not be left behind in the race. 

 Earmers' clubs are, in the most obscure dis- 

 tricts, springing up. The principle of associa- 

 tion has been established ; and it is the farmer's 

 own fault if he does not take advantage of 

 what our French neighbours call "the situa- 

 tion." Every subject connected with agricul- 

 ture is brought under discussion. The tiller 

 of the soil begins to find that he holds an im- 

 portant position in the country : and he now 

 opens his eyes to the fact, that his occupation 

 is a science, and that he must, of necessity, 

 raise himself to the height of his calling. 



THE PRINCIPLES OF CATTLE-BREEDING. 



'• One of the most wonderful instances of 

 man's supremacy over creation," observes Mr. 

 Miiburn, "is the influence he is able to exer- 

 cise in directing vital processes. Here his 

 power is perfectly talismanic. Within certain 

 limits, he has the power of asserting his 

 dominion so far as to make stern nature obey, 

 and do his bidding. If he wants size or hardi- 

 hood, activity or gentleness, milk or fat — nay, 

 even wool, or mutton, or beef — he can so 

 arrange the elements with which Divine Provi- 

 dence hath blessed him, as to bend, and mould, 

 and adapt them to his will, until he has pro- 

 duced the kind and class of animal he requires. 



