288 AMERICAN AGRICULTURE. 



largest amount of good beef. If there are extraordinary 

 milkers among the cows, or first-rate workers among the oxen, 

 it is better to keep them as long as they maintain their full 

 vigor. 



FATTENING CATTLE. Such as are designed for the sham- 

 bles the ensuing fall or winter, may be allowed to do their 

 spring's labor; or if cows, they may be milked into summer after 

 calving, or go farrow during the previous year. They should 

 early be put on the best summer feed, which is better to be occa- 

 sionally changed, to give variety and freshness, and keep the 

 animal in good appetite. Let the fattening animals have the 

 best, and after they have cropped it a while, give them a fresh 

 field, and the other animals or sheep, can follow and clear off 

 the remaining herbage, preparatory to shutting it up for a new 

 growth. Some prefer an extensive range of rich feed, which 

 is unchanged throughout the season, and when it is not neces- 

 sary to divide the pasture with the other animals, this is a 

 good practice. 



The selection of animals for stall fattening is a nice point, 

 and none without a practised eye and touch, can choose 

 such as will make the best return for the food consumed. 

 The characteristics of choice animals heretofore enumerated, 

 are particularly essential in those intended for profitable fat- 

 tening. But the most important of all is that firm mellowness, 

 and quick elasticity of touch, which unerringly marks the 

 kindly feeder and profitable bullock. When other means for 

 ascertaining fail, it is a safe rule to select the best conditioned 

 animals, out of a herd of grass-fed; for if all were of equal flesh 

 and health, when turned out, those which have thriven most on 

 their summer pasture, will generally fatten quickest on their 

 fall and winter keep. Only the best should be selected. The 

 remainder after consuming the coarser forage, may be at once 

 disposed of for early use. From repeated trials it is found 

 that the carcass of stall-fed animals will barely return the 

 value of the materials consumed, and their manure is generally 

 the only compensation for the time and attention bestowed. 

 None but choice, thrifty beasts will pay for their food and 

 attention, and all others will make their best returns, by an 

 immediate disposal after the surplus fodder is gone. 



Stall-feeding ought to be commenced early in the season. 

 An ox may be fed in a box stall, or if accustomed to a mate, 

 they do better by tying together with sufficient room, yet not 

 so near as to allow of injuring each other. The building 

 should be warm, but not hot ; well ventilated, yet having on 



