No. 151.] 339 



points. Their imperfections are disseminated through a whole neigh- 

 borhood, merely because they cost an exorbitant sum, and enjoy the 

 reputation of having crossed the Atlantic. This, of course, does not 

 always happen. Probably some of the finest animals, of the Devon- 

 shire, Hereford, and short horn breeds, that have ever graced the shores 

 of Britain, have been brought to this country, and we have most as- 

 suredly improved the form and beauty of our animals by frequent 

 crossing. Still an approach to the same result would have been ob- 

 tained, if our farmers had paid the same attention to our native stock 

 that they do to the foreign. The usual practice is, and I fear al- 

 ways will be, to sell the best to the butcher, for the reason that it 

 bears the highest price, and breed from the inferior. Such policy 

 will inevitably deteriorate stock, and disgrace our farmers, though 

 they may own the finest improved animals. I approve highly of the 

 Short Horn cross, for animals intended for beef, but as far as my ex- 

 perience goes, not for milk, except perhaps in a slight degree. I have 

 owned a Short Horned cow which yielded me 30 quaitsol milk per day, 

 and a native which gave only 20 quarts Still the native cows milk 

 was certainly one-half richer than the Short Horns, and consequently 

 worth twice as much. All things considered, I think the most ad- 

 mirable animals for the climate of America, are the animals raised in 

 America. 



Feed animals well; never stint them when young. If you do, be 

 assured that they will never afterwards take on flesh, and grow so ra- 

 pidly or so fully, no matter how well fed at an advanced age. Of 

 course, a serious loss will accrue. The farmer who spends the most 

 money in food for his animals, will realize the greatest profit, pro- 

 vided he makes a judicious selection of stock and his markets are fa- 

 vorable. 



A breeder of cattle can always choose from his herd, without a 

 possibility of error, such animals as will fatten advantageously. His 

 guide is symmetry in form, a wide-spreading carcass, small bones, 

 compact body, very deep quarters, thin skin, full dilating eyes, fine 

 brisket, small head, mild countenance, thin muzzle, distended nostrils, 

 wide shoulders, wide back, round body, short legs some distance apart, 

 full flanks, and a fatty excrescence under the roots of the tongue. 

 When the breeder has selected such an animal, he is confident that 

 any amount of food he may eat, will amply repay him in prime flesh. 

 Judges of annuals depend mainly upon handling or touching, as they 

 term it. 



