728 MASS. EOAUD OF AGEICULTURE. 



or three years old as others are at three or four, is so obvious 

 \ as not to require a moment's consideration. 



The agriculturists in various parts of Great Britain, for 

 near a hundred years, have been endeavoring to improve their 

 neat stock. The Devons, the Durhams, and the Ayrshires, all 

 have their admirers, each having, in their own estimation, 

 arrived at the greatest perfection. Early maturity has been a 

 prime object Avith them ; increase of weight without material 

 increase of size — a long, round body — small head, heavy quar- 

 ters, and small offal. The strict and unvaried practice so long 

 persevered in, of breeding only from the best specimens of the 

 same stock, and their more especial attention to the character 

 of their males, has produced a purity of blood that produce 

 offsprings of like form and general character. Even at the 

 present day, after nearly a hundred years' careful attention to 

 their rules, they still follow them with the same scrupulous 

 attention. 



It is often asked — " Why not breed from our native cattle, 

 for those long bred on the soil are better than those brought 

 from a distance." That a superior breed of cattle may be 

 raised up from our native stock, we cannot doubt ; but no one 

 has yet been willing to try the experiment and wait twenty 

 years for proof of the result. It is not so easy a matter to 

 raise up a new^ and improved breed of cattle as many suppose. 

 The first cross may and often does produce a better animal, 

 but the progeny of such frequently fail. It requires a critical 

 knowledge of the laws of breeding, sound judgment and much 

 experience, to improve a mixed poor race of animals ; whilst 

 eVery farmer may be sure of good animals if bred from pure 

 blood, and by attention to a few simple rules his stock will 

 always be growing better. 



Our situation is so unlike that of Great Britain, that in 

 many things it is impracticable for us to pursue the same sys- 

 tem they do. In that country land is dear' and labor is cheap ; 

 the climate is cool and damp. With us land is cheap and 

 labor is dear; our summers are hot and dry, and the cold 

 extreme in winter. Their farms are large, with large herds of 

 cattle. Ours are small, with few cattle. They do everything 

 upon a large scale and with a view to the future. We work 



