10 REPORTS OF COMMITTEES. 



Judicious selection takes precedence of the claims of breed; 

 for, as Emerson observes, " Nature makes a hundred poor melons 

 for one that is good." At any rate, there is always a sphere, and 

 opportunity — a need of human sagacity in the process of keeping 

 a given breed up to the normal standard of perfection. Hence 

 we draw a conclusion in favor of a higher education for farmers. 

 Men err in selection, chiefly for the reason that their total knowl- 

 edge of the subject is insuflicient. 



Your committee cannot help urging greater care in mating 

 heifers for first calves. Without doubt the influence of a scrub 

 bull appears to a greater extent in both the mother and offspring 

 than we are apt to recognize ; but the first conception is likely to 

 influence the whole future of the dam and her progeny. Hence 

 we argue in favor of great care in mating a heifer for her first 

 calf We are by no means willing to admit that a heifer, mated 

 with an inferior sire is not thereby injured, more or less. We are 

 not so sure that a superior bull receives injury from copulating 

 with an inferior cow. The reason is self-evident. 



With respect to the treatment of heifers on " coming in," the 

 committee have but to urge persuasive methods, let the tempera- 

 ment be what it may. 



We have never yet seen a case of " kicking" in heifers, that 

 we lacked faith to attempt to cure by our own proper influence, 

 exerted without violence. A person of good muscular force, by 

 placing the left arm against the offending leg, can usually prevent 

 accident, and in cases of obstinacy, where perseverance in force is 

 necessary, the gambrel of the opposite leg should be firmly 

 grasped, thus forming an effectual bar. It is sometimes necessary 

 to " hug ' the spunky animal pretty closely, and in all cases it 

 should be securely tied in a stable. Continue the forcible treat- 

 ment till the animal gives up, and the instances are rare that re- 

 quire a second application. Much depends on the treatment 

 heifers habitually receive from those who have to deal with them 

 from calves upward. Nothing harsh, or of a nature calculated to 

 scare, should be allowed among heifers, and boisterous, brutal per- 

 sons should be restrained in their tendencies, if ever suffered to 

 deal with them. 



Your committee desire to make honorable mention of a heifer 

 shown by Mr. Jefts, of Fitchburg, for which the chairman ac- 

 knowledged a decided preference, but his choice failed to be sus- 



