NO. 2, 



THE farmers' cabinet. 



in 



sidered the most improved kinds, producing 

 the greatest quantity of milii, and arriving 

 at the greatest weight, and are generally 

 preferred over all otliers for the dairy and 

 the shambles. 8oine individuals have been 

 fed to twenty-one hundred the four quarters. 



3d. The middle horned. These include 

 the Devon, Hereford and Sussex breeds. They 

 do not produce as much milk as the former, 

 but generally fatten well, younger. The flesh 

 on the Devon is the most esteemed, but it is 

 not so large a race as either of the others. — 

 They are all active and hardy animals, and 

 fine for the yoke. 



-Ith. The Polled breeds. The most valua- 

 ble of these is the Galloway. It is not large, 

 weighing, generally, about five hundred wlicn 

 nut regularly fattened, of a fine form, and is 

 said to retain its flesh and not to lose weight 

 by driving to market. The Suffolk Duns, are 

 a variety of this race. 



5th. The Highland breeds. These are va- 

 riously colored, and generally badly formed, 

 but they are said to yield milk abundantly, 

 and to fatten rapidly. 



6th. The Welch breeds. Of these there 

 are two distinguished; one considered across 

 from the long-horned, and esteemed next to 

 the Devon for the draught; the other is low- 

 er in stature, black in color and well made, 

 and fine for the dairy. 



7th. The Mderney or Guernsy, is a small 

 breed, with crumpled horns, and frequently 

 badly formed. In this last peculiarity they 

 have been lately much improved. Thin 

 colors generally yellow or light red. The 

 genuine Alderney is described as having the 

 color within the ears yellow, also the root 

 of the tail and the tuft at the end of the tail. 

 Are good milkers and make fine beef. 



Although the French have not bestowed 

 the same attention upon the improvement of 

 these animals as the English,they have, how- 

 ever, several fine breeds. All of these have 

 been classed into two divisions: the first 

 called '•'• Bcefus de haute cruc, or those of a 

 middle or small stature ; have a fierce look, 

 thick hide, large dewlap, black or greenish 

 horns, and live in the mountainous depart- 

 ments." The second are called '■'■ Bafus de 

 nature. Stature large or middle sized, head 

 and body small, horns white, hide thin, hair 

 soft, and of a mild aspect. Belonging to the 

 low and level lands, and constitute the Cho- 

 lets, Nantz, Aiijou, Marcais, Breton, Mans, 

 Dutch, Cotentin, and Bomtois breeds." 



We are disposed to consider the hardy and 

 active cattle of New Encrland as beloncring 

 to the middle horned, and probably the Dev- 

 on breed. If so, they have much improved 

 in that climate, as they frequently develope 

 great size. Attention to breeding from those 

 of the best characters and forms of animals. 



already acclimated and showing propensities 

 to improve, is always a successful course, 

 and is the basis of the improvements in Eng- 

 jland. Foreign crosses from improved stocks 

 are doubtless advantageous, but these should 

 be introduced with caution into climates dif- 

 fering essentially from that from which the 

 improved stock is derived, and great care 

 should be observed that the stock introduced 

 is not of a tender family, requiring much at- 

 tention and stall-feeding, so opposed to the 

 habits of our country, and so much beyond 

 our general means, and also from the prices 

 of labor and food, rather an unprofitable 

 course. 



' The fine breeds of the South branch and 

 upper parts of the Potomac, also appear to bo 

 improved Devons. They have, however, 

 generally, well developed horns, as have also 

 !the greater part of the cattle of the west 

 ern country, but those with small horns are 

 considered a better race and more easily fat- 

 tened. 



The polled races are also frequently met 

 with in our country. 



The hunched races differ from the straight 

 backs, not merely in the hunch, but in their 

 voice, and they possess also greater liveli- 

 ness and activity. These last properties 

 might adapt them admirably for the draught, 

 where quick and active motion is so desirable. 

 jThey are common in Asia and Africa, have 

 generally crumpled horns, and much white in 

 their coloring. Many suppose these to have 

 originated from a species different from the 

 straight-backs. 



There are animals indigenous to N. Amer- 

 ica, which have a strong resemblance to those 

 about which we have been treating. One of 

 these is classed as of a different genus from 

 the Bos, and is called of the genus Oribos. It 

 stands as the only species of this genus. We 

 allude to the Musk Ox, (O. Moschatus) of 

 the northern regions. — See fig. 5. 



It is described as in " size equal to the 

 I Guernsy cow, with brownish black hair, oc- 

 casionally marked with white spots, and it 

 grows to a very great length. Its legs are 

 generally white." It is a very fierce animal, 

 particularly in the rutting season, when the 

 bulls frequently fight until one is killed. — 

 They live in small herds, seldom exceeding 

 fort3\ They emit a strong musky smell, 

 but their flesh is considered good, particularly 

 ithat of the calves and heifers. Three hun- 

 'dred to three hundred and fifty pounds of beef 

 is the general yield of a carcass. No endea- 

 vors have yet been made to domesticate these 

 animals, and our knowledge of them is rath- 

 er limited, derived principally from the hun- 

 ters of Hudson's Bay and the few travelers 

 who have penetrated into that region. 



The other animal to which we- alluded. 



