24 



On the Breeding of Cattle and Sheep. 



In a bull there ought to be a full muscle on each side of the back- 

 bone^ just behind the top of the shoulder-blades ; he ought also to 

 have the muscles on the outside of the thigh full, and extending 

 down nearly to the hough. It will seldom happen that a bull 

 having these indications will be found deficient in muscle. With 

 respect to rams, my own observation does not enable me to point 

 out any other indications of muscle except the thickness of the neck, 

 which I have mentioned above ; if other farmers are able to point 

 out any, I would only say there is scarcely any thing to which they 

 ought to pay greater attention. 



As I am writing for the use of farmers, it is quite unnecessary 

 for me to attempt to give a description of what is considered a well- 

 shaped bull or ram ; it is also obviously impossible to express in 

 words what is meant by good handling. It is sufficient to say, 

 therefore, that no male animal is fit to be used at all as a sire 

 Avhose handling is not good, and that the more perfect his shape is 

 the better. The above observations apply to breeding generally ; 

 for, whatever may be the sort or size of the animal intended to be 

 produced, there is no doubt but that good health, propensity to 

 fatten, and good shape, in all cases, ought to be aimed at. But 

 there are not only different breeds, both of cattle and sheep, but 

 experienced and very good farmers differ very much in opinion as 

 to which peculiarities of shape and size are to be preferred, even 

 among animals of the same breed. It is therefore very desirable, 

 before any man commences to breed either cattle or sheep, that he 

 should make up his mind as to the shape and qualities he wishes 

 to obtain, and steadily pursue this object ; if he does so, there is 

 very little doubt but that he will succeed in having a herd of cattle 

 or a flock of sheep possessing the characteristics which he at first 

 intended they should possess ; but if, on the other hand, he breeds 

 at one time with the view of obtaining animals possessing one sort 

 of shape, and at another time with the view of obtaining animals 

 possessing a different sort of shape, the probability is, that his stock 

 Avill possess neither the one nor the other in any degree of perfec- 

 tion. Having made this decision, he should take care that the 

 individual male animal which he uses shall possess the qualities 

 which he requires. In addition to this, it is of great importance 

 that these qualities should have been characteristic of the family 

 from which the animal is descended ; and if he is old enough to 

 have been the sire of any number of offspring, it is of a great deal 

 more importance still that they should possess them. Because all 

 the perfections of shape and quality which the best judge may wish 

 to find in a male animal are, after all, only indications of what the 

 stock got by him will probably be : the seeing, therefore, what they 

 really are is much more satisfactory. 



There are few-br^ed^rs, of cattle more especially, who breed 



