152 LIVE STOCK. 



•lomestic animnls, that the one cnnnot he neglected with- 

 out injury to the other. If no more Hve stock were 

 kept on the farm, than should he necessary lor lahour and 

 food; and all the crops were sold off, the income for a 

 few years might exceed what could be derived from a 

 full stock of beasts kept on the farm and fattened. But 

 how grea^ the injustice to the soil ! to what a heartless 

 unproductive state it soon would be reduced! Experi- 

 ence clearly demonstrates that there are few countries 

 so well adapted as New-England to the breeding and im- 

 provement of live stock. The extent and richness of 

 her natural pastures are admirably calculated for this 

 purpose. That with comparatively few exceptions, lit- 

 tle attention is bestowed to the improvement of our breeds 

 of cattle, is not to be denied; and yet if we consider 

 the immense dilTerence there is between the profits de- 

 rivable from domestic animals of an inferior and superi- 

 or quality ; and at the same time bear in mind, that the 

 degree of care and expense necessary to be bestowed 

 upon each is not materially varient, we shall find abun- 

 dant cause of wonder that the fact should be so. And 

 as domestic animals are found to degenerate, unless 

 pains be taken to prevent it ; it becomes an essential 

 point, therefore, for the iarmer to be diligent in select- 

 ing those breeds which are found to be most valuable, 

 as well from those raised in his own stock, as from 

 those which may be obtained elsewhere. 



The most desirable properties of live stock in gen- 

 r»ral : are, suitable size ; form ; early maturity ; a 

 hardiness of constitution ; proUfick quality ; a ten- 

 dency to grow ; a disposition to fatten ; and lightness of 

 oifal. The passion for the largest kinds of animals has 

 been a great error with the improvers of live stock, in 

 this country. The largest and smallest breeds are the 

 very worst ; and ought to be avoided in cattle, and gen- 

 erally in all animals. The form should be compact, so 

 that no part of the animal should be disproportioned to 

 the other ; and the whole distinguished by a general 

 fulness and rotundity of shape ; the chest should be 

 broad ; for no animal whose chest is narrow, can easily 

 be made fat ; the carcass should be deep and straight ; 

 the belly should be of a moderate size ; the head and 

 bones and other parts of inferior value, should be as 

 "mall as is consistent with strength, and with the other 



