Vol. XYl., Second Series. 



ROCHESTER, N. Y., FEBRUARY, 1855. 



THE GENESEE FARUER, 



A MOXTHLT JOURNAL OP 



AGRICULTU RE & HOR TICULTURE. 

 Volume XVI, Second Series, 1855. 



OANIEIi LBB AND W. D. AL,L,IS, EDITORS. 



JOSEPH FROST, HORTICULTURAL EDTTOR. 



'KACH NUJtBER CONTAINS 32 ROYAL OCTATO PARES, IN 



DOUBLK COLUMNS, AND TWEL\'E NUMBERS FORM 



A VOLUME OF 384 PAGES IN A YEAR. 



Terms* 



3ingle Copj, $0.50 



Five Copies, 2.00 



Eight Copies, _ 3.00 



And at the same rate for any larger number, 



DANIEt. LBE, 

 Publisher end Proprietor, Roc/tester, N. T. 



THE IMPROVEMENT OF NATIVE CATTLE. 



structure and functions of domesticated quadrupeds 

 generally understood, we feel confident that genuine 

 American blood would be regarded as in no respect 

 inferior to that of any other nation for all useful pur- 

 poses. It has never been proved that American 

 cows and oxen are less productive in milk, beef, or 

 labor than those of any other country. They may 

 be, perhaps, a little less beautiful, or come somewhat 

 later to maturity; but these defects, where they ex- 

 ist, may be removed without importing at an enor- 

 mous expense, the pampered animals of English 

 breeders, or those of any other foreign land. When 

 we duly consider the fact that there are about twenty 

 million head of neat cattle in the United States which 

 need improvement, it appears Eutopian to suppose 

 that anything beside correct rules in home breeding 

 will suffice to change for the better the general char- 

 acter of the live stock of thirty-one States and six 

 territories. To bring animals to early maturity, 

 whether calves, lambs, or pigs, they must be pushed 

 from their birth till they are deemed ripe for the 

 butcher. On this principle, Short-horns have acquired 

 the habit of attaining the size and weight of four 

 and five year old steers, when they are only two years 

 old. The calves of native stock, after a few genera- 

 tions of generous feeding, would indicate the same 

 tendency in an equal dtgree. The truth of these re- 

 marks is illustrated by taking a pair of pigs from an 

 inferior race, and developing therefrom a breed dis- 

 tinguished equally for its beauty and disposition to 

 fatten at an early age. The best breed in the world 

 if badly treated for several generations, will show 

 many bad points, and become utterly worthless for 

 propagation. What are denominated "points," are 

 made and lost with much greater facility than many 

 suppose. There is no inconsiderable humbug in the 

 craft of the professional herdsman, stock-breeder and 

 speculator. Like the horse-jockey, he gets up his 



