34 
The Improvement of Home-bred Stoclr. 
we would unhesitatingly prefer the former; and 
it has another decided advantage in its economy. 
By liberal feeding, we mean a full supply of 
such wholesome and nutritious food, as without 
cloying and loading an animal with fat, will sus¬ 
tain it in a constant and sufficiently rapid growth, 
and afford an early though not premature de¬ 
velopment of all its desirable qualities. 
To illustrate our meaning, we will say, that 
the young of all animals are best provided for 
in the early stages of their existence, by the 
bountiful provision of nature, afforded in the 
well filled udders of their healthy and well fed 
dams. And if from any cause this supply is 
diminished or withheld, the deficiency must be 
made up by other and equally nutritious and di¬ 
gestible food. This, with a range, if the season 
permit, in a fresh pasture, is sufficient till 
weaned. For colts and calves, we -would re¬ 
commend the addition of a little oat or barle}'- 
meal, for a short time, to prevent any falling ofij 
which may be continued with the colt, if the 
farmer can afford it, in addition to all the good 
hay it will eat, till the grass will afford a plen¬ 
tiful bite in the following spring. The calf and 
lamb may be supplied with a few roots, besides 
their hay through the winter, or in place of 
them, a small allowance of oatmeal, bran, &c. 
After this, abundant and sweet pasturage for 
summer and good hay for winter, will suffice 
to keep the animals advancing steadily towards 
maturity, though if more rapid growth and lar 
ger size be required, the liberal feeder may add 
occasionally roots or light grain in any mode 
rate quantity, till the animal has acquired its 
growth. The pig being an omniverous animal, 
may be allowed a freer range and £ larger liberty 7 
in the variety of his viands, and if restricted in 
the use of too hearty or solid food, he will be 
found to thrive apace on even a moderate sup- 
ply- 
During all this time, however, they should 
be protected from cold and storms, by a warm 
and effectual shelter, and dry, comfortable beds, 
and if there be leisure to apply the brush and 
card, so much the better. No disease should 
be allowed to fasten on them, to check their 
growth and impair their organs. These are 
briefly the general rules to be observed in the 
rearing and care of the stock, till they are suf¬ 
ficiently advanced to become producers them¬ 
selves. 
We have then another and not less important 
duty to perform in the selection of those de¬ 
signed for breeders. To guide us in this choice, 
we have the important axiom, observed by all 
judicious and experienced breeders, viz. “ that 
like begets like; 7 ’ a rule, which, though not 
universal in its results, is yet the only one that 
can he pursued with safety. If we want to 
procure a good draught horse, we must se¬ 
lect parents as near our ideas of what is right 
as possible. They must be compact, and heavily 
made; broad in the chest, somewhat projecting 
over the fore legs: round barrel well ribbed 
home; a good size bone; plenty of firm muscle: 
a clean, well coated skin; a good feeder and 
tractable in his disposition. If a roadster is 
wanted, we should look for more symmetry and 
fineness; more grace and elegance; more speed 
and more spirit. If a saddle horse be required, 
we can hardly tell you what to do; for there is 
not one in a thousand that is even a tolerable 
pad; but if you can find one of the true Arab 
mould, gentle though gay, spirited though sub¬ 
dued, with a rapid yet easy and delicious gait, 
half rack and half amble, and all canter, when 
asked', and bottom enough to sustain his pace: 
heed not his color or form, his size or his pedi¬ 
gree ‘ but use it as the only means of affording 
you a chance for a luxury, we are not often 
indulged with in this latitude. If such an one 
be not within your reach, content yourself with 
any thing in your possession that may be adapt¬ 
ed to other purposes ; your hack or horse of all 
work, or any thing that will not stumble or 
sheer, for we hold there is no medium between 
a very good and very indifferent animal under 
the saddle—unless one can content himself with 
a moderate gait, when if a fast walker can be 
had that will get over the ground at the rate of 
five miles an hour, a compromise is then offered 
between ease and speed, and it is for each to de¬ 
cide according to his fancy. 
If good working oxen are desired, and Here- 
fords or Devons are not to be procured, as you 
cannot see the precise form or character in either 
the bull or cow, select such as in their general 
conformation, approach nearest the models re¬ 
quired ; but much more is- to be relied on in 
using such as belong to good working families. 
A form somewhat relieved from the unwieldi- 
ness of the more bulky ox, should he selected, 
with longer legs ; lighter carcass ; firmer mus¬ 
cle; medium bone; slanting'shoulder; well 
knit withers; broad chest spreading the fore 
legs well, yet not too deep; ribs well arched 
immediately behind the shoulders, affording 
ample room for the heart and lungs to play, and 
reaching well back and near the hips ; a broad 
level back; and most especially a fine open 
countenance, with as much intelligence, and as 
kindly disposition as possible. Such an animal 
with proper attention and feed, will nearly come 
up to the horse in capacity and endurance, and 
when loosed from the yoke, will fatten kindly 
and pay the grazier as generously as the plough¬ 
man. The Devon and Hereford and their 
crosses, though unequalled for the yoke, are 
not surpassed for grazing and the shamble^ 
