BOS TAURUS. . 



England they constituted the chief riches of its inhabitants, 

 (Caesar, Lib. V. c. 10,) and they yet form no inconsiderable 

 item in the estimate of that country's abounding riches. An 

 excellent paper on the origin and natural history of the do- 

 mestic ox and its allied species, by Professor Wilson ( Quar 

 terly Journal of Agriculture, Vol. II. p. 177), may be con 

 suited with advantage by those who wish for more informa- 

 tion on the subject. 



The breeds of cattle are remarkable for their numerous 

 varieties, caused by the almost endless crossings of one breed 

 with another, often producing varieties of the most mongrel 

 description, and which are rather difficult to describe. The 

 principal varieties will here only be noticed. 



The qualities of a cow are of great importance. Tame- 

 ness and docility of temper greatly enhance the value of a 

 milch cow. Some degree of hardiness, a sound constitution, 

 health, and a moderate degree of spirits, are qualities to be 

 wished for in a dairy cow, and what those of Ayrshire gen- 

 erally possess. The most valuable qualities which a dairy 

 cow can possess are that she yields much milk, and that of 

 an oily, butyraceous, and caseous nature ; and that after she 

 has yielded very large quantities of milk for several years, she 

 shall be as valuable for beef as any other breed of cows 

 known ; her fat shall be much more mixed through the whole 

 flesh, and she shall fatten fully as fast, if not faster, than any 

 other. 



The pastures in New England are short, and the winters 

 long and severe, and therefore ill adapted to a race of large 

 size, of tender habits, and requiring extraordinary keeping, 

 and the most particular care to maintain their condition. 

 The most celebrated breeds are the improved Durham Short- 

 horn, the Hereford, the Ayrshire, and the North Devon. Of 

 these different races, highly improved animals of each sex, 

 for the purposes of breeding, have been introduced into al- 

 most every part of the United States, and each race has N 

 found strong advocates, who have preferred it to every other. 

 For dairy purposes, the Ayrshire, or a first cross with the 

 improved Durham and the Devon, is to be preferred. For 

 early maturity and size as beef animals, the improved Dur- 

 ham Short-horn appears to take the lead. But they are ten- 

 der, and require extraordinary keeping and care to maintain 

 their good qualities. They seem better adapted to the rich 



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