No. 149.] §237 



points for fattening are generally allowed to be superior to any 

 other. Tlie samples of native American cows, as cited, are cer- 

 tainly very little, if any, inferior to these ; if there is any dilBfer- 

 ence it may be ascribed to the keeping. The English here furnish 

 an example to be admired and followed. In the first place they 

 spare no pains or expense to get the best breeds for milk and 

 fattening, will go any distance in their own country to procure 

 them to cross with their own on their farms at home. In feed 

 and shelter they are equally assiduous and pains taking ; they 

 cultivate the most nutricious grasses, their moist, temperate cli- 

 mate favors the groivth ot these and preserves them in their 

 green succulent state through most of the season ; change often 

 their feed, as well in grains and the more substantial aliments, 

 as in their pasture fields. This is done for the benefit of their 

 manure [is well as cattle — the richest feed always makes the best 

 and most efficient manure ; protect them well from the weather 

 in winter by covered stalls and stables, gutters, pipes, tanks, pure 

 water, cleanliness, and every convenience for th^ comfort, health 

 and thrift of their animals, and these not only to enrich but 

 preserve and increase their manure. If we do not take the same 

 pains in all these things, we are doing much better than we for- 

 merly did. Indeed it was necessary, we have been driven in a 

 measure from the wheat and flour market by our western friends j 

 let us not lose the cattle market too. The butter, milk and fruit 

 market we cannot very well lose, although we may have inroads 

 made upon these for a while by the increased facilities of travel 

 and conveyance, until the population on the seaboard grows up 

 to the supply, and the demand is ample for all; besides, railroads 

 are available to us and bring us nearer to the market too. The 

 expense of travel in any way must be added to tiie cost of an 

 article, and however small, it is something and deteriorates 

 somewhat from the heat and fatigue of travel ; especially the 

 cattle, these will want our pasture fields and grain for awhile to 

 rest and recrnit them. If years ago'our farmers generally, and 

 some of them no doubt did, had taken similar pains to procure 

 the best breeds in their neighborhood, and at a distance, they 

 could hear of to cross with their best at home, they might have 

 had a stock now nearly or quite equal to the Yorkshire Durhams. 



