MISCELLANEA. 
57 
in the same proportion an ox for market, or a horse for the field. 
The nutritive equivalents are, however, very differently stated ; 
and this could hardly have been otherwise, as the conditions under 
which these equivalents were estimated could scarcely have been 
precisely similar; and the difference will surprise those only who 
are not acquainted with the difficulty of the subject. It is probable 
that this must be sometimes attributed to the relatively moist or 
dry condition of the substance in question. The nature of the soil, 
a wet season, climate, See., may be considered as so many causes 
affecting the quantity of water contained, or the nutritive quality. 
Far more useful results would be obtained by first determining the 
quantity of moisture contained, or, in other words, by estimating 
the nutritive equivalents of bodies previously completely divested 
of moisture. The equivalents thus obtained are often very near 
those furnished by direct observations, and I may add that the 
data of theory have been sanctioned by experience. 
Preliminary Observation , Boussingault , vol. ii, p. 385. 
Breeding Cattle. 
To such as intend to beed cattle of decided excellence — and 
they, we hope, constitute all — we recommend them to select bulls 
of only moderate size, coupled with all the fineness of bone and 
limb consistent with a proper masculine vigour and energy, like- 
wise with fulness of carcass and ripeness of points, so as to embody 
great substance within small compass. In addition to this, let him 
be as deeply bred, that is, of as pure blood and of as long ancestry 
(not depending altogether on the herd-book for that, as many of 
the very best class of animals have comparatively short, herd-book 
pedigrees) as possible ; and, above all, let him be descended of 
good milking stock, where milkers are to be bred in his progeny. 
Your cows, we will presume, are such as your opportunities have 
enabled you to procure, but of approved blood. If the bull se- 
lected breed well to your cows, have no fears of continuing his 
services to a second or even a third generation of his own get. 
Such practice will produce uniformity, and uniformity is one 
great excellence. No matter for the colour, so that it be within 
the short-horn colours. Above all things, avoid coarseness, loose- 
ness, flabbiness, and a general tendency in the animals to run their 
valuable points into offal. Such cattle, of whatever breed, are 
-great consumers, bad handlers, light provers, tender of constitution, 
and unsatisfactory altogether. If you have an occasional produc- 
tion of this sort, transfer it to the shambles or elsewhere with all 
dispatch. On the principle that “ like begets like,” which is an 
VOL. XX. I 
