26 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



distant one* — to the stock to which he is introduced. lie should bring 

 with him every good point which the breeder has labored to produce in 

 his stock, and, if possible, some improvement, and especially in the points 

 where the old stock may have been somewhat deficient, and most 

 certainly he should have no manifest defect of form ; and that most 

 essential of all qualifications, a hardy constitution, should not be wanting. 

 " There is one circumstance, however, which the breeder occasionally 

 forgets, but which is of as much importance to the permanent value of 

 his stock, as any careful selection of animals can be — and that is, good 

 keeping. It has been well said that 'all good stock must be both bred 

 with attention and well fed.' It is necessary that these too essentials in 

 this species of improvement should always accompany each other ; for 

 witliout good resoui'ces of keeping, it would be vain to attempt supporting 

 a valuable stock. It is yet more evident when animals are absurdly 

 brought from a better to a poorer soil. The original stock will deterio- 

 rate if neglected and half-starved, and the improved breed will lose 

 ground even more rapidly, and to a far greater extent." 



NEW ENCxLAND CATTLE FOR MIXED PURPOSES. 



While a distinction has been drawn between the breeding of 

 animals for beef, and for the dairy, in the suggestions that have 

 already been made, there is no doubt tliat the two objects can 

 be combined to some extent. " It is probable," observes Sir 

 John Sinclair, " that, by great attention, a breed might be 

 reared, the males of which might be well calculated, in every 

 respect, for the shambles ; and the females of which might, 

 when young, produce abundant quantities of good milk ; yet 

 when they reached eight or nine years of age might be easily 

 fattened. This would be the most valuable breed that could 

 be propagated in any country ; and, indeed, some of the best 

 English and Scotch breeds have almost reached that point of 

 perfection." 



In New England also, there has, in some sections, been some 

 approach to this. With all the existing diversity in our cattle, 

 there arc, scattered in every direction, and without any known 

 relationship, small families, not constituting in any respect a 

 breed, which combine size and thrift, with very good qualities 

 for the dairy. There can hardly be said to be any great 



* On this point wc differ somewhat; distant relationship, if sound, and 

 possessed of valuable points, it seems to us, will bring about the desired result, 

 with more rapidity and certainty. 



