88 Live Stock. 



years old, when well fed, will weigh from 80 to 90 or 100 

 stone, 14 Ib. to the stone ; and a two year old Leicester wed- 

 der, from 25 to 28 Ib. per quarter, immediately after his se- 

 cond fleece is taken from him. Animals having the property 

 of early growing, are usually straight in their back and belly; 

 their shoulders well thrown back, and their belly rather light 

 than otherwise. At the same time, a gauntness and paucity 

 of intestines should be guarded against, as a most material 

 defect, indicating a very unthrifty animal. Being too light of 

 bone, as it is termed, is also a great fault. A good grower 

 has always middling-sized bones. A bull distinguished 

 for getting good growers, is inestimable ; but one whose 

 progeny takes an unnatural or gigantic size, ought to be 

 avoided ( 8S ). 



4). Early maturity. Arriving soon at perfection, not only 

 in point of growth or size, but in respect of fatness, is a ma- 

 terial object for the farmer, as his profit must in a great 

 measure depend upon it. When animals, bred for the car- 

 case merely, become fat at an early age, they not only return 

 sooner the price of their food, with profit to the feeder, but 

 in general also, a greater value for their consumption, than 

 slow-feeding animals ( 89 ). This desirable property greatly 

 depends on a mild and docile disposition ; and as this do- 

 cility of temper is much owing to the manner in which ani- 

 mals are brought up, attention to accustom them early to be 

 familiar, cannot be too much recommended. A tame breed 

 also has other advantages. It is not so apt to injure fences, 

 or to break into adjacent fields; consequently it is less lia- 

 ble to accidents, and can be reared, supported, and fatten- 

 ed, at less expense. The property of early maturity, in a 

 populous country, where the consumption of meat is great, 

 is extremely beneficial to the public, as it evidently tends to 

 furnish greater supplies to the market ; and this propensity 

 to fatten at an early age, is a sure proof, that an animal will 

 fatten speedily at a later period of its life. For that pur- 

 pose, it is of the utmost importance to feed the animal well, 

 when it is young; for it does not easily recover the injury 

 it sustains, when, in that respect, there is any material de- 

 ficiency. 



5. Hardiness and vigour of constitution. In the wilder and 

 bleaker parts of a country, the possession of a hardy and 

 healthy constitution, is of peculiar importance. Where the 

 surface is barren, and the climate rigorous, it is essential 

 that the stock bred and maintained there, should be able to 

 endure the severities and vicissitudes of the weather, as well 



