TKEATMENT OP BREEDING COWS. 249 



of milk may be met by other resources, but since a short supply 

 of milk is indicative of, and associated with, enfeebled breeding 

 powers, every care should be taken to obviate this defect. 



" There are few subjects connected with agricultural literature, 

 which offer such a scope for inquiry and research, as that which 

 I have now discussed; for whether we look upon the repro- 

 ductive powers of domesticated animals, from a practical point 

 of view, or a scientific inquiry, we have very strong inducements 

 to investigate the subject more completely. The very circum- 

 stances under which barrenness can be produced or removed ; 

 the influence of various kinds of food upon the breeding capa- 

 bilities, and also upon the production of milk; the circumstances 

 which favor or check abortion; the conditions which regulate 

 the sex of the offspring — these, and many kindred subjects, 

 demand careful consideration." 



In corroboration of the foregoing remarks on the effect of 

 sweet foods inducing barrenness in breeding, animals, we give a 

 note from Mr. E. W. Stewart, on the subject. It is proper to 

 say, that at the time of his writing it, Mr. S. had not seen the 

 paper of Professor Tanner. 



" My attention has lately been particularly turned to the chem- 

 ical qualities of foods, and to determining how a practical appli- 

 cation may be made, to the feeding of animals. 



"I find there has been much chemical research which has 

 never been applied. Some three years ago, while my Sorghum 

 cane was being manufactured into syrup, the skimmings were 

 given to the cows, and drank with great relish. One cow was 

 so greedy for the sweet scum, and indulged to such an extent, 

 that she was barren for a year. I have seen since, a number of 

 cases mentioned, where the breeding qualities of animals have 

 been injured or destroyed by a free use of sweet — the females 

 barren and the males impotent — but no explanation of the phe- 

 nomena. It occurred to me that chemistry should furnish the 

 11* 



