"Another point we would earnestly urge upon the consideration of our 
farmers: it is a better system of feeding and sheltering their stock. This 
is true culture. We say system, for the manner of doing it should be so 
arranged and prosecuted as not to violate important physiological prin¬ 
ciples, but we should avail ourselves of them for the easiest and cheapest 
attainment of the desired end, viz., perfect animals. 
"A better system of breeding should be introduced and closely adhered 
to. In the first place, it is important that we should get distinctly be¬ 
fore our minds a just conception of the animal we wish to produce—in 
other words—to know just what are its points. Then we have a pattern, 
in the mechanic’s phrase, to work by. We are then prepared to select 
th£ animals from which to breed. These should possess, in the greatest 
number and perfection possible, the desired points, remembering that it 
is generally safer to breed from a comparatively inferior animal from a 
well bred herd of established pedigree throughout the ramifications of 
sire and dam, than from an accidental good one from an inferior herd or 
one of questionable reputation. 
"In coupling these animals the imperfections of one should be matched 
by perfect points in the corresponding parts of the other. 
" Guided by these and other principles which will readily suggest them¬ 
selves to every thinking farmer, our exhibitions of cattle will be con¬ 
stantly improving from year to year, and we shall soon have occasion to 
be proud of our success and the character of our stock. 
" These remarks have been extended to a greater length than was 
anticipated, yet there is much of importance left unsaid. Permit me to 
refer the reader to the monthly numbers of the Wisconsin and Iowa 
Farmer for the year 1854, where the subject will be found treated of 
more fully. 
"We shall have accomplished our object in this communication, if we 
but succeed in impressing the importance of the subject upon the minds 
of our farmers. 
Very truly yours, 
S. P. Lathrop, M. D. 
Chairman of the Committee on Cattle . 
To Albert C. Ingham, Esq., 
Sec. of the IPis. State Ayr. Society. 
