1868.] 
AMERICAN AGRICULTURIST. 
385 
Education of A n imals. 
What Wonderful Feats they hate Per¬ 
formed—Simple Tricks Easily Taught— 
How to Learn the Secrets of Train¬ 
ing, and How to Make a Good Invest¬ 
ment. 
Nearly all animals arc capable of a certain 
amount of education; some more, some less. 
Our domestic animals learn to understand and 
obey certain commands; they also learn to do 
many things in a state of domestication which 
naturally they would not do. Under proper in¬ 
struction they are often taught to do quite sur¬ 
prising feats, and a great deal of money is made 
by the exhibition of performing animals. The 
“trick” animals are the most attractive fea¬ 
ture of circus exhibitions, and the owner of a 
single animal, well taught, will often acquire a 
fortune from the hire of his animal’s services. 
Horses are the most common among educated 
animals, and they readily learn a great many 
amusing feats. Waltzing, feigning death, going- 
lame with any foot desired, kissing, answering- 
questions, finding hidden articles, “ shaking- 
hands,” firing pistols, grinding organs, and 
other tricks, can be taught horses or ponies of 
ordinary intelligence. 
Dogs are probably the greatest favorites with 
amateur trainers; they are less costly than 
horses, and can be taught perhaps even a larger 
number of feats. How proud the boy feels, 
whose dog will give his paw, beg, stand on his 
head, leap through hoops, carry baskets, bring 
articles he is told to go for, or do any of those 
things, which, with patience he may be taught! 
How popular such a dog is among that boy’s 
school fellows,- and what a hero his owner be¬ 
comes ! And a dog taught a few simple tricks 
will often sell for two or three times what he 
would bring otherwise. But dogs have been 
taught much more wonderful performances; 
such as selecting the letters (on bits of card) of 
words given, to select a handkerchief of any col¬ 
or commanded from many of all colors, to place 
that handkerchief under any designated article 
of furniture; to give it to any designated per¬ 
son, or to a person dressed in any designated 
color; to select any article called for from many 
articles scattered promiscuously around; to 
bring any desired article from any designated 
place however distant; besides feats of muscu¬ 
lar dexterity, like standing on a ball and rolling 
it up an inclined plane, &c. 
Hogs are not generally considered very intel¬ 
lectual, but they have been taught to answer 
questions—by selecting the appropriate words 
printed on cards ; tell the day of week or month; 
tell the age of any lady present; and do other 
amusing things. 
The sure-footedness of the mule enables him 
to do some feats which a horse would find rath¬ 
er difficult; walking on the tops of porter bot¬ 
tles is one of these. Bears, though so clumsy, 
are taught a variety of tricks; dancing, standing 
on their heads, playing the tambourine, and 
climbing posts, are the commonest. The read¬ 
er will perhaps recall “Old Adam’s” bears, who 
did much more; his collection including “dan¬ 
cing bears, crying bears, laughing bears, and 
singing bears;” though he probably had a vivid 
imagination. 
The wonderful sagacity of the elephant ena¬ 
bles him to comprehend what the trainer de¬ 
sires, with almost startling readiness, and he 
will with great docility go through a variety of 
performances, which doubtless seem very absurd 
to him. Even tigers are made to jump through 
hoops and otherwise display their agility. But 
it would be tiresome to describe all the tricks 
taught monkeys, goats, cats, (who learn better 
than most persons would imagine, and perform 
some curious feats), and other animals. Even 
rats and mice may be trained. 
Fleas have been also taught! A regular troupe 
has been exhibited, part of which were dressed 
up and taught to mimic human actors, while 
others personated horses and drew a little coach, 
with fleas for driver, footmen, and exalted per¬ 
sonages inside, out riding for their health. 
It is said that “ whatever man has done, man 
can do;” so probably any intelligent animal can 
be taught any trick, however wonderful it may 
appear, if properly trained. There are many 
mysteries about training animals, and in the 
manner of arranging the tricks. In an early 
number of Haney’s Journal will be given some 
curious details about Performing Animals, with 
explanations of the tricks and instructions for 
teaching many animals. To those interested in 
the subject the proposed information will prove 
highly acceptable, andw’ill gratify that curiosity 
all persons have felt, on seeing exhibitions of 
performing animals, to know “ how it is done.” 
Many profitable and useful hints by which farm¬ 
ers and animal owners may profit, will doubt¬ 
less be found, besides the instructions by which 
boys may tame and train their pets; and to all 
interested in the subject, we think the promised 
article alone will be worth more than the entire 
subscription price, whether they propose train¬ 
ing animals for profit, or merely as a pleasant 
recreation. 
Haney’s Journal has presented many attrac¬ 
tive features, given much useful and profitable 
articles, but the one in prospect will prove as 
popular as any heretofore given, and will doubt¬ 
less add much to its already large circulation 
and wide popularity. The low price of Haney’s 
Journal places it within the reach of all—only 
fifty cents a year—and to all new subscribers 
for next year received this month, the Nov. and 
Dec. numbers of 1868 will be given free. 
Haney’s Journal will be enlarged -with the Jan¬ 
uary number, giving next year over 1,500 square 
inches of reading matter, illustrations, &c., every 
month. Quality , however, is more important 
than Quantity, and Haney’s Journal is good as 
well as cheap. Sec advertisement at bottom of 
this page, wherein the publishers give further 
information. 
mmrs mmmi for isos. 
Enlarged to double its present size—10 pages instead of 8— 
giving over 1,500 square inches of reading matter, illus¬ 
trations, &c„ every month. Same style retained, which has 
been so extremely popular, hut with new attractions added. 
An intensely interesting exposure of 
QUACKS. 
—Quack Doctors, Quack Medicines, and Quack Books, be¬ 
sides full, clear, and authentic exposures of all new Hum¬ 
bugs and Swindles, will he given by the author ol the cele¬ 
brated “ Rogues and Rogueries of New York." Also valu¬ 
able recipes, useful arts, hints on health, wealth, success in 
life, social advancement, and all topics helping the young 
onward in the struggle of life, and curious, amusing, in¬ 
structive miscellaneous matter for all readers, with a mod¬ 
erate number of good engravings. We intend that Hanky's 
Journal shall PAY every subscriber. That it has done so 
in the past, we believe from the testimony of readers them- 
selves# 
To ail new subscribers sending this month Fifty cents for 
subscription for 1869, we will send the Nov. and Dec. Nos. 
of this year free, if asked for. 
s 1 ual ' e inches of good and profita- 
q®P'i]y'iW hie reading matter, attractive illustra¬ 
tions, &c., &c., in every number , all for 
Oaily Fifty Ceaits a Year. 
23?” Send now. Fifty cents for a whole year. Single 
copies can be had of newsdealers everywhere, and where 
convenient we prefer readers should get the Journal of 
some dealer in the neighborhood instead of subscribing. 
Any dealer will get it for you, if he does not keep it for sale, 
if you ask him to. Specimens can be procured only from 
newsdealers. 
23?” Dealers supplied by Wholesale Agents in all the 
principal cities. JESSE HANEY & CO., 
Publishers, 119 Nassau-st., New York. 
