THE SOUTHERN PLANTER. 



145 



to his chest, and so all over very well, from the 

 knees and shoulders upwards. This side completed, 

 go to the offside, and do that in like manner, re- 

 versing positions. Then with a cotton cloth, dust 

 off all the dirt raised by the currycomb. The brush 

 is next to be used, beginning at the head, and going 

 down-to the fetlocks, (which should be washed if 

 dirty,) keeping the brush clean with the currycomb. 

 Lastly, take another cloth, and rub him down until 

 his coat looks smooth and bright. 



This system of horse cleaning can be easily 

 learned, and the improved appearance of the horse 

 will prove its excellence. Cleanliness, in man or 

 beast, is all-important. — New England Cultivator. 



THE SOUTHERN PLANTER. 



RICHMOND, MAY, 1854. 



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NECESSITY OF GOOD STOCK TO VIRGINIA 

 FARMERS, AND HOW THEY MAY GET IT. 



In two former numbers we have called attention 

 to the above subject. We now proceed to show 

 how the stock may be obtained cheaply and in a 

 short time. 



The best mode of doing this is by the principle 

 of combination, and there is nothing new in apply- 

 ing it to this business. More than fifty years ago, 

 Bakewell, the eminent English breeder, from whom 

 the New Leicester sheep derive that synonyme, as- 

 sociated with himself several other farmers, known 

 collectively as the Dishley Club, after the name of 

 Bakewell's residence, for the purpose of improving 

 various kinds of stock, and all that they took in 

 hand they improved to a degree of excellence never 

 before reached by any- of them. Some of these, 

 it is true, we mean the long horn breed of cattle, 

 have been permitted to recede to their original in- 

 feriority, but the fact that they attained the high 

 position he gave them, proves that even in the most 

 unpromising cases, system, skill, and combination 

 can rapidly regenerate an inferior breed. It may 

 give an idea of the advantages that we possess for 

 the purpose of improvement to state that British 

 cattle now weigh more than double what they 

 weighed about seventy years agq,-and that we not 

 only have their improved breeds to found our im- 

 provements upon, but that as the average weight 

 of our cattle is now greater than theirs was at that 

 time, we start from a higher point in the scale, with 

 the advantage also of a better general system of 

 agriculture. 



Suppose the object to be the introduction of an 

 improved breed of cattle, for instance, the Devon. 

 Let a. club of, say twelve gentlemen, associate for 

 the purpose, or at least let twelve shares of stock 

 be created to be taken by not more than twelve 

 members. Let them select such cows, either from 

 their own or their neighbors' herds, as combine in 

 color and other characteristics the strongest points 

 of resemblance to that breed. Then let one bull 

 be purchased at a cost of $150, and limited to 36 

 cows, or three for each member of the club — an 

 ample number, if the strongest and healthiest off- 

 spring be desired. Let him be travelled to different 

 points, as stallions are, or let the cows be sent to 

 him at one place, as may be most convenient. Sup- 

 pose that thirty calves are the result. Let every 

 male be castrated or made into veal, and let the 

 heifers be well reared. 



Once a year let these animals be exhibited, and 

 give to males and females each in their class a pre- 

 mium of four dollars for the best, with no subse- 

 quent lower premium. The next year give pre- 

 miums of the same amount to the two year olds 

 of each sex, and also to the yearlings as before, 

 and so on to the third year. After which they may 



