Manayement of Call/e. 
449 
shed, a bull descended Iroin a cow that is a good milker should 
bo used ; and the same as to other properties. 
'J'he difficulty of combining fattening and milking qualities in 
the same animal is generally felt and acknowledged ; but is it a 
law of nature that this combination cannot take place ' The 
principles of physiology forbid us, I think, to affirm that such 
is the case ; and the fact of a cow producing a large quantity of 
butter is a proof that her food is readily converted into fat ; be- 
sides which, it is a matter of frequent experience for deep milking 
cows, when, from age or other causes, they are dried, to grow 
raj)idly into fine carcases of beef. By studying more closely the 
habits of our animals, and paying due attention to those qualities 
in the selection of the males, I cannot help thinking that the 
valuable combination of milking and feeding properties may be 
attained.* 
These remarks will be found to apply in an equal degree to 
strength of constitution and general hardihood. ' Forte )> creantur 
fortibiis^ is an old axiom; and the descendants of delicate or 
diseased animals, however healthy they may appear, will rarely 
beget stock possessing sound constitutions. Temper, too, is a 
matter of considerable importance, as it invariably runs in fami- 
lies ; and no fretful, irritable animal is ever a good milker or 
quick feeder. One conclusion to be drawn from these facts is, 
that even in small herds it can rarely be a right practice to use 
only one bull. Perfect animals are seldom, if ever, met with; 
and it is in the correction of each other's deficiencies, by matching 
the male and female properly, that improvements can alone be 
effected. 
Although some breeders contend for the system of in-and-in 
breeding, my observations of its effects on different races of 
animals imj)els me to an opposite conclusion ; and although I 
believe that the use of strong and healthy males may in some 
degree modily the evils and preserve soundness of constitution, 
* On this point I have the experience of my herd of Devons, which has 
been caielully managed for at least fifty years. 1 can show abundant 
proofs of this desirable combination. The attainment of this double object 
IS the work of years, and of constant attention. The rule is, never to lear 
the calves of the offspring of a cow wliicli lias proved but an indifferent 
milker or a bad feeder ; nor to buy a bull of which you are unable to trace 
the true pedigree and the qualities of the mother. It is most difficult 
to ascertain these points from the breeders of bulls for sale, and it is 
therefore best to buy a bull whose stock has been proved before he is in- 
troduced into a good herd, however correct he may be in form and to the 
touch. In purcliasing cows, it is essential to try to obtain the knowledge 
of the observation of the herdsman, at any cost, to guide the judgment, 
because at some seasons the animal may be unjustly condemned or ap- 
proved by the cursory observer. — Portman. 
