Breedinfj of Farm-Stock. 
7 
with other parts of the system, are subject to hereditary influence, 
and much may be done? in this direction to stimulate them to 
the performance of their natural functions, whilst a neq;lect of 
this agency will increase and perpetuate an evil which consider- 
ably reduces the value of much of our breeding-stock. Not only 
may we hope that by judicious management these organs may 
again be raised to their natural standard of efficiency, but, like 
other parts of the animal system, become even more highly 
developed under the fostering care of man. Instances are by no 
means rare in which we observe in happy combination an 
aptitude for the formation of fat with sufficient energy of the 
mammary glands to produce a liberal supply of milk. Generally, 
in the case of cows, those that produce butter freely are subse- 
quently found profitable for feeding for the butcher. With ewes 
thus distinguished the lambs thrive wdthout extraneous supplies 
of milk, and they are equally disposed for laying on fat when no 
longer intended for breeding. This combination is equally 
observable in sows of a like description, v/hich produce large, 
healthy, thriving farrows, and make a good return for the food 
given them. 
Formation of Meat. 
When the object to be attained is the production of meat, 
manv points require consideration. Much will depend upon the 
management and attention of the feeder, and in this respect it 
has been fully proved that it is essential for the economical pro- 
duction of meat that the animal should be kept in a thriving 
condition from its birth. Our attention, however, is here specially 
due to those consequences which result from the natural cha- 
racter of the animal. One of these is the capability of the dam 
to nourish her offspring, or, in other words, her power of pro- 
ducing a free supply of good milk, to which we have before 
adverted. Other points of character being equal, this capacity 
for the formation of milk will very powerfully influence the 
value of the dam for the purpose of rearing an animal especially 
intended as an economical producer of meat. Moreover, besides 
this supply of good milk after birth, we must not overlook the 
support given by the dam to the " foetus in utero " — one that has 
many analogies and affinities to the yield of milk afforded to the 
young animal after its birth. A good milker will produce her 
offspring fatter, finer, and in better condition than a bad milker ; 
Avhilst a puny calf tells us of a dam which has an overpowering 
disposition for the formation of fat. The importance of balancing 
these competitive tendencies so as to secure an adequate supply 
of milk is of primary importance for the economical breeding of 
animals intended to be producers of meat ; whilst as this superior 
