36 
to the bones of animals. And while on this point we may 
notice that the produce of the county of Aberdeen, no matter 
whether fodder or root crops, will fatten cattle more rapidly 
than elsewhere, even all other things being equal. But it 
must be remembered that the soil of this county is chiefly 
produced from the crumbling down of ingneous rock, inas¬ 
much as we there come upon the granite regions. The 
answer is apparent. Silicates are abundantly developed, and 
the crops feeding thereon partake largely of the benefits. 
Turnips and straw, natural products, will fatten and finish 
cattle for the shambles, wdiile in many localities they would 
scarcely maintain them in good, ordinary, or keeping con¬ 
dition. Some feeders never give cake or corn at all; others 
furnish 3 lbs. or 4 lbs. daily for about a month before the 
finish, to give what is termed the “ last dip,” and this is all 
the extraneous food they get or require. Another remarkable 
fact is that the native animals are of strong constitution and 
remarkably free from disease. 
“ But returning to Mr. Thompson’s admirable paper, we 
repeat that it ought to induce farmers to try some of the pre- 
ventatives to disease therein propounded. This would not be 
a game at haphazard, as the proofs he advances conclusively 
guarantee, and no one need be afraid, after such satisfactory 
results have been achieved, that the play would fail to be 
worth the candle. Moreover the remedial measures are not 
expensive ; and when we find cheapness and efficiency going 
hand in hand we may reasonably surmise that the modus 
operandi recommended has emanated from one who takes for 
his text the best motto of the day—Practice with Science. 
