PUBLISHERS' PREFACE, 
It Is with especial pleasure and pride that the publishers present to the 
public this volume. They believe that in design, extent, variety of matter 
and illustration, especial adaptability to the wants of the farmer and stock 
owner and in its explicit and practical teachings, it has not been equalled 
in the history of American agricultural publications. No authors have 
to the same extent carried into effect in this department of literature the 
modern and popular idea of “object teaching’’ And in no department of 
literature is such teaching so useful and practical in character. With our 
authors it has not been enough to describe, but they illustrate, teaching 
through the eye, as well by word, and with a definiteness in both respects 
that will enable any one, by proper study, however unfamiliar with the 
subjects of which it treats, to become well versed in all the essentials of a 
practical knowledge of the use, care, diseases, and treatment of domestic 
animals. Though the book is large, the system of the arrangement is so 
perfect that any fact in its contents can be readily found, and this con- 
stitutes it a most convenient work for ready reference as well as for general 
study. The illustrations, covering the subjects of breeds, characteristics, 
points, character, and the various stages of disease, etc., are decided fea- 
tures and most useful. . , . ,. 
Dr Manning’s careful education in the profession of Vetennary Medi- 
cine, his large practice, and his experience in the general care and manage- 
ment of live stock, have eminently qualified him for the task he has under- 
taken, and we place the result of his labor before the public, believing ihat 
he has done his work well— that he has produced a book that will be of 
most practical and pecuniary value to every stock-owner. Believing this, 
the book is launched upon the sea of agricultural literature with the con- 
fident belief tliat it is demanded, and that it will accomplish its mission 
of usefulness. 
In what we have said concerning the characteristics, excellences, and 
defects of the various breeds of live stock (and in this we have tried to be 
full, explicit, and exact), we have not been biased by partiality for any, 
and have studiously avoided expressing any preference, when the facts 
obtained by long familiarity with th- subjects, and much reading and 
observation, did not clearly sustain tvie position taken, 
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