Breeding, Rearing, and Feeding Horses, Cattle, and Sheep. 19 
have always found that inasmtich as a farmer's prospects are influenced hy so 
many circumstances, it is not wise to put all the eggs into one basket, but to 
distribute them as much as possible. Further, it is well known that horses 
are the worst grazers. A farmer who is entirely stocked with cattle of this kind 
would, unless very liberal returns were made, find the quality of his grass 
deteriorate. In most instances the cattle and sheep should form the predomi- 
nating stock, and the horses be kept as a hobby — three or four brood-mares. 
A really good dam often brings in a small fortune to the owner, and when 
there is the chance of using a good horse, it is quite a profitable business on a 
small scale ; but it is a great nuisance to have a quantity of young horses 
gnawing the heart out of the pasture, when cattle would grow to more advan- 
tage and improve the land. 
On real turnip-soils, where little or no permanent grass occurs, and when a 
heavy expense attends the leading of roots, I hold a strong opinion that sheep 
are the most profitable stock. On stronger land, and where grass is more 
abundant, cattle will frequently pay more money than sheep. 
In this district of Yorkshire I consider that the Lincolnshire breed of cart- 
horses answer remarkably well, also the Clydesdale ; but I prefer the first named. 
Yorkshire-bred Shorthorns are universal, the farmers using a pedigree bull. 
The cross between the Lincoln and Leicester sheep answer well. For the 
United Kingdom I believe Shqrthorn cattle and Shropshire sheep are the most 
suitable. 
John Colemak. 
8. West Drums, Fobfabshiee, N.B. 
The question of breeding more stock depends on the prices at which horses, 
cattle, and sheep can| be bought. The present very high rates show pretty 
clearly that we should breed more than we do, where the circumstances are 
favourable for such practice ; but of late years, in my opinion, the better 
class of English and Irish cattle, with which I have had chiefly to do, have 
been bought at rates yielding a better return for keep than would have been 
obtained fi-om a breeding-stock, with its many hazards. As many horses, as 
a rule, should be bred (unless in very unfavourable circumstances) as will supply 
the waste of the farm. 
Many farms are but ill adapted for the rearing of horses ; first, from the want 
of sufiBcient grass area and suitable fences. The harder nature of soils, espe- 
cially if mixed with pebbles, is often injurious to the feet of the young horse, 
causing contraction and other faults. Again, these farms are generally of a 
difiScult character to work, and require a thoroughly-matured horse ; on such 
lands the three-year-old horse is unable for his turn, and is often spoiled. These 
circumstances form the chief inducements to purchase, rather than rear, on such, 
farms. 
Land producing a good quality of grass can generally be turned to better 
account by placing well-bred two-year-old cattle upon it than by using it for 
breeding-stock jmrposes. Land i^roducing inferior grass may be either used 
for breeding-stock purposes, or for the keep of one-vear-oli cattle ; but will 
require in either case to be supplemented by feeding-stuffs. 
A very large acreage of arable land, partly stocked with cattle and partly 
with sheep, is implied before the breeding and feeding of sheep can be done 
to advantage ; but on more limited areas sheep are often purchased in sprintr 
in advanced condition rather than lean, and kept for a few months as a flyin| 
stock ; and this is often done to advantage on enclosed lands. 
There must be great adaptability of soil, fencing, &c., for the rearing of 
agricultural horses, hacks, hunters, &c., before it can be more profitable than 
the breeding and feeding of cattle and sheep. 
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