00 TjiAXSACTIOXS OF THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE. 



be carefully studied. When he seems to have enough of the best of 

 hay, he will eat roots with a zest ; and, full as an animal may appear to 

 be of nutritious grasses, he will eat good hay with an avidity some- 

 \<diat surprising. "When these steers were four years old and past 

 they weighed from 2,000 to 2,500. The year following they gained 

 about 500 all around, and their weight was from 2,500 to 3,200 and 

 over. The year following, the last year of their lives, though great 

 pains were taken, they did not gain as fast ; and in the past two 

 weeks they have gone back eighty pounds each. 



He is a good feeder who can in a twelve-month get his herd to take 

 on 400 pounds all around ; but Mr. Ayrault has had beasts to take on 

 500 and 600 pounds. So far as profit is concerned, he has gained 

 nothing from the last year of their lives, except in the fancy prices 

 which animals like this command, simply on account of their magni- 

 tude. He thinks five years is the age when a fattening animal is 

 likely to yield the most for the care and food which he has required. 

 He is doubtful whether it pays, as a general practice, to feed cattle to 

 such immense size. Great care and watchfulness are rtTquired to keep 

 the appetite free, a constant and wise variet}* of food must be given, and 

 it is onlj' an accident that cattle can be found so wonderfully disposed 

 to take on flesh. Your committee cannot but express a conviction that 

 Mr. A3'rault deserves the thanks of farmers for having shown, to a 

 degree never before reached in this countr}'^, the results that may be 

 had by a wise, choice of animals to fatten, and by constant care and 

 skill in feeding. He has proved, also, the wonderful and exact 

 adaptation of the short-horn stock for beef-making. ^ 



Large Cattle. 

 Mr. C. S. Marvin, Oxford Depot, Orange county, N". Y., raised a 

 steer called "Uncle Abe" that will compare with some heretofore 

 reported. Uncle Abe first made his appearance on the 19th of Octo- 

 ber, 1864, and then weighed 134 pounds, and girth, three feet and 

 three inches. 



Pounds. Girth. 



At three months, weighed 385 4 ft. 6 in.. 



Six months 070 5 ft. 



One yeaij 1-036 6 ft. 



One year and six months 1 ? 354 6 ft. 5 in. 



Tvvo'years^.- 1 j610 6 ft. 10 in. 



Two years and six months 1 ^ 830 7 ft. 4 in. 



Three years 2,070 7 ft. 7 in. 



Three years and six months 2,270 8 ft. 



Four years 2,300 8 ft. 2^ in. 



Four years and four months 2; 530 8 It. 4 in. 



