294 CATTLE-BREEDING. 



cised. Habit, either pro or con, then, is a large 

 element in this matter of temper. Children 

 with naturally outbreaking and violent tem- 

 pers are often nearly cured of this serious 

 moral disease under a mild and gentle regimen 

 which affords no reason for its outbreak and 

 suppresses the first signs of its rise by prompt 

 action. 



These two ideas are the basis of that treat- 

 ment or training which seems, at least among 

 the heavy and plethoric beef breeds, to sup- 

 press the disposition to temper, even when 

 inherited; a life of perfect quiet, with full 

 rations and abundant out-of-door exercise with 

 such companionship as shall not excite to tem- 

 per. This is best afforded by allowing the bull 

 to run with the dry cows already in calf, though 

 I quite as often supply it by turning the young 

 bull calves from six months to a year old 

 in with the old bull, which exercises a patri- 

 archal oversight over them. But the most 

 important element is the treatment received 

 from the human attendants. This must begin 

 at birth, must be frequent and regular, and 

 always firm and kind. However kindly a 

 bull's natural temper may be, however gentle 

 his inherited disposition, brutal treatment will 

 be very likely to arouse bad temper in him. 

 On the other hand, quiet but firm and uninter- 

 mitting care will in nearly all cases prevent a 



