140 
THE CULTIVATOR, 
May 
T.K. vahzamtCdei 
Mr. VaiVs Imported Short-Horn Bull “ Duke of Wellington. 
of the room, upon the stone floor, is a long oaken table, 
and at one end is the master of the house, in long shirt 
collars and broad-brimmed hat, chanting the passion of 
Gesu Christo. Two men sit nehr him intent upon the 
sounds, and two others below, are listlessly hanging 
over the board, and the vetturini, in their blue shirts, 
form a group at the end. The women are hurrying 
through their arrangements for the night with earnest 
looks, and as the solitary candle flickers over the faces 
of the host and his listeners, and the red glow of the 
fire fades and brightens on the blackened beams above, 
and the dark stone floor below,—you have a picture for 
brigand dreams. And a likely-enough place it was for 
such brigand phantasy, for the inn stood alone, with, 
scarce a house in sight, and the mountains rolled up 
gray around it. 
COLMAN’S EUROPEAN AGIIICULTURE-Part 8. 
From what had been stated in a former portion 
of this work, we were led to expect that this part 
would be devoted almost entirely to the subject of Live 
Stock; and considering the great interest with which 
this branch of English husbandry is generally regarded 
in this country, and the fact that it is, as Mr. Col- 
man declares, 11 one of the most important topics con¬ 
nected with British agricultural improvement,” we con¬ 
fess to some disappointment in finding it disposed of in 
the brief space of forty-three pages. But some of the 
motives which influenced him in this summary disposi¬ 
tion of the subject, may perhaps be inferred from the 
following remark: “Among the conflicting opinions 
and estimates which prevail, both in this country and 
the United States, in respect to different breeds, my 
judgment may be viewed with jealousy and suspicion, 
and I may have to encounter fierce prejudices of breed¬ 
ers and speculators.” He informs us, however, that 
his opinion will be given without any pecuniary bias 
whatever,” and that he has endeavored to give the 
“ result of his various inquiries and observations, in as 
impartial and simple a form as possible,” a course to 
which we have not the least doubt he has faithfully ad¬ 
hered. 
He observes that the mind of the traveller is strong¬ 
ly impressed with the distinct character of the breeds 
of animals which occupy different localities in Britain, 
and the perfection of form which several of them 
have attained. He says—“ The science, or perhaps" 
it may be called the art ‘of breeding, has been great¬ 
ly studied;” but he thinks that notwithstanding the 
success which some men have attained in it, “ a great 
deal remains to be understood and explained.” As evi¬ 
dence of this, he adverts to the practice of “ in-and-in” 
breeding, the propriety of which he thinks is still a moot¬ 
ed question. He admits,' 1 however, with most persons 
who have devoted much attention to this subject, that 
the great point inbreeding is the selection of animals 
possessing the qualities which it is wished to perpetuate. 
“ The great, law that like produces like, though it may 
not be invariable, is comparatively of universal opera¬ 
tion. Good qualities are propagated by the union of 
animals possessing good qualities; and defects, and 
faults, and infirmities, are in like manner extended and 
aggravated. The application of this principle or ph} T si- 
cal law. has in this country been most marked in its re¬ 
sults. * * * The old proverb certainly holds true, that 
‘ a good cow may have a bad calf;’ but then it is much 
more likely that she will have a good one, than that a 
bad cow will have a good calf. The confidence with 
which some persons speak of what can be done, and 
what they can do, is often excessive; but what has been 
accomplished by selection, by crossing, and by the con¬ 
junction of peculiar properties, is surprising. There 
seems to be a limit beyond which no person can go. 
The particular breed may be altered and improved; but 
an entirely new breed cannot be produced; and in every 
departure from the original, there is a constant tenden¬ 
cy to revert back to it.” 
Horses. —Mr. Colman observes that in England, 
horses are trained for and exclusively confined to par¬ 
ticular departments. “ So we find the race-horse, the 
hunter, the carriage horse, the draught horse, the 
roadster, the saddle horse, the pony for children and la¬ 
dies, the general hack, and the farm-horse. This comes 
of the immense wealth of the people, and is adapted 
to give them the best advantages of each kind.” 
The treatment of horses ip England is spoken of as 
being generally of the kindest nature. He gives some 
