PRACTICAL PAPERS—FARM MANAGEMENT. 
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selection, yet this'prevents the rapid deterioration which would 
follow from an equal distribution of the progeny. The selec¬ 
tion of the farmer in newly settled countries—keeping the best 
developed and best colored bull—is a still further improve¬ 
ment. The next advance in selection is the introduction of 
the full blooded bull to mix with the common cattle. It is at 
this stage of progress—before we reach the breeding of blood¬ 
ed cattle—that the Wisconsin farmer should commence by se¬ 
lecting the best native cattle and crossing in the manner above 
referred to. A bull of the purest stock, with known antece¬ 
dents and living progeny for witnesses, should be chosen and 
kept with the herd for at least three years, then to be ex¬ 
changed for one of the same general characteristics, possessing 
the prominent points in build and color. This plan continued 
will ensure a herd of cattle in ten years that will rank with 
any herd of blooded cattle in the world, in all things except in 
transmitting qualities. 
In all parts of the state, where breeding may be undertaken 
in the manner above indicated, cattle w T ill be raised princi¬ 
pally for the dairy and beef. There is with some a lingering 
belief that working oxen can be used upon the farm with 
profit; but as all kinds of improved machinery require rapid 
motion, and farm laborers receive high wages, time becomes 
/ 
material, and we hurry the three year old steer off to the 
market. The grown ox requires much room in the yard, a 
large volume of food, and is frequently a terror to young 
cattle and poor fences. Economy in keeping can no longer be 
urged in his behalf, as the four year old horse is raised just as 
cheap and maintained with the same food. 
Cattle raising can be made profitable notwithstanding the 
influx of Texas stock. There is a minimum below which 
Texan cattle cannot be raised; and to this is to be added the 
cost of transportation to the western prairies, of feeding with 
grass or grain, of long herding and interest on money invested 
before the inferior animal of lighter weight and less value can 
come in competition with Wisconsin cattle. The one is forced 
upon the market at a particular season; the other can be held 
