AMERICAN INSTITUTE. 437 



is often the case, it is probably the effect of a morbid condition 

 of the animal. 



While living, good flesh may be proved by a mellow, firm, 

 elastic feel, without harshness; and in the dead carcass by similar 

 signs, with a fine grain marbled. Age and sex afford variety in 

 the quality of flesh; in old animals it is particularly firm and 

 free from elasticity, and not so tender or juicy as those that are 

 young; fineness of grain in the meat is far greater in female 

 than male animals. Another property furnishes the means of 

 determining disposition to fatten in animals, namely, the feel of 

 the skin, when it is soft and silky it indicates a tendency to take 

 on fat. It is evident that a soft skin is more easily stretched to 

 cover an extraordinary quantity of flesh, than a harsh, thick, 

 tough one. 



The property of supplying milk in large quantities should be 

 the object of breeders. The question of the propriety of having 

 a distinct breed exclusively for this purpose, or that of having it 

 partly calculated for this use, and partly for that of the butcher, 

 has not yet been fully decided. It has been found by many, that 

 such cows as have great propensity to fatten, very seldom answer 

 the purpose of the dairy. 



By great and devoted attention for ten years, I have produced 

 a breed of animals admirably calculated for both these uses; 

 from three to eight years old they give enormous quantities of 

 rich milk, and at 9 years old are easily fattened. A breed of 

 greater value cannot be produced. I have often taken 28 

 quarts of milk per diem from each of several of my cows, and often 

 more, without other food than good pasture. Another property 

 that is requisite for the breeder to take into consideration in the 

 improvement of stock, is that of blood; which signifies the natu- 

 ral and inherent propensities of a breed, as exemplified in their 

 outward appearances. It enables him to discriminate with cor- 

 rectness in the choice of such animals as are adapted to the im- 

 provements he has in view. In selecting animals, both male and 

 female, he must choose such as are the most perfect and exact in 

 their ditferent parts and properties, and breed from them without 

 suffering any intermixture of inferior grades. This together with 

 proper and abundant food at all seasons, with suitable shelter and 

 warmth, will improve animals to a state of unequalled excellence. 

 As first rate stock is in but few hands, comparatively speaking, 

 in our country, and the owners demand higher prices than the 

 farmers are willing, or perhaps, able to pay. It would be par- 



