87 



because but few such are established. He must run the risk of 

 taking animals from the miscellaneous stock of the country, Avhich 

 as a -whole, has no fixed or distinguishing characteristic. 



The advantages in favor of cows reared here, are, that they 

 are generally more healthy than those brought from a different 

 locality ; that they may be so trained as to become gentle and 

 free from tricks ; and that by selecting from a stock known to be 

 good, the chances of obtaining the desired qualities are greatly 

 increased. Oxen can be obtained with less difficulty than cows ; 

 there is less liability of deception ; a brief trial in the yoke settles 

 the question of their fitness for the purpose in view. 



The inference from these premises is, that dairy stock is the 

 kind the breeding and rearing of which would be most advanta- 

 geous in this county. It has been a favorite idea, I am aware, 

 tliat cattle should be bred with reference to combining all quali- 

 ties — beef, ability to labor, and milk. Without occupying space 

 in the discussion of this point, it may be said that it is not gene- 

 rally the most advantageous course. It must be evident that a 

 higher degree of excellence is attainable in reference to any par- 

 ticular property, when the attention of the breeder is specially 

 directed to that property, than when the attempt is made to com- 

 bine in the same animal pi;operties more or less antagonistic. 

 Why, then, should not every breeder have regard to the main 

 object for which he keeps cattle ? If milk is the object, let him 

 keep the breed which will give the best return in that article, and 

 when he wants cattle for different purposes, let him obtain them 

 from other breeders, who being differently situated, find their 

 profit in attention to other properties. 



Of the various breeds of cattle which are particularly adapted 

 to dairy purposes, it is impossible to say which would be the most 

 successful here. None of them have been tried to an extent that 

 would justify a positive assertion in regard to them. The most, 

 therefore, that Avill be attempted in this connection, is to notice 

 those breeds or crosses which it seems most probable would give 

 satisfactory returns, leaving to actual and thorough trial, the final 

 settlement of the question. Before disposing of this point, how- 

 ever, it may be well to remark, that cows of medium or rather 

 small size, will be found, generally, to give the best returns from 

 our pastures. It is a principle well established in England, where 

 the breeding of cattle and their adaptation to special localities and 

 pur{ioses is better understood than in any other part of the Avorld, 

 that the size of the animal should depend on the soil and climate. 

 Our soil is rather poor and our climate severe, and hence an 

 animal of only medium size, or less, is best suited to our circum- 

 stances. On a poor [lasture, a large animal may only be able to 

 obtain food enough to supply the natural waste of the system ; 

 but a smaller animal, rofjuiring pro[)ortionaI)ly less to sup[)ly this 



