300 CATTLE-BREEDING. 



Over-indulgence in a life of ease and freedom 

 from exertion almost inevitably leads to a low 

 condition of the system. This in breeding ani- 

 mals is scarcely less dangerous than a state of 

 actual disease, for the young come into the 

 world feeble weaklings, unworthy, too often in- 

 capable, of reproducing their kind. We must, 

 then, always keep in mind the purpose for 

 which breeding cattle are kept, and treat them 

 in a way which shall make them strong and 

 active, and not pamper them till they grow 

 even less strong generation by generation, till 

 at last they become profitless and effete. 



It will readily be seen, then, that where one 

 class are intended for a brief life of from two 

 and a half to four years, and the one end of the 

 owner is to push them to maturity and a cer- 

 tain market condition and weight, that the 

 chief consideration he has to keep in mind is 

 the constant healthy state of the animal. But 

 the breeder has to consider the healthfulness of 

 his animals not only today, but even more, the 

 relation of their condition today to a healthy 

 progeny in the future. All authorities agree, 

 moreover, that the more artificial the life an 

 animal leads the more unhealthful is its gen- 

 eral tendency and the more special dangers are 

 encountered, and consequently that the more 

 closely a life of domestication can be made to 

 conform to nature the more healthful it will 



