Rensselaer Union, Volume 1, Number 25, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 18 March 1869 — Agricultural and Domestic. [ARTICLE]

Agricultural and Domestic.

Breeding and Bearing Cattle.

BY I. V. MAPES.

The present enormously high prices of natter nml l)eef call loudly upon the agricultural population of *tlie country to gjve their attention, practically and scientifically, to the breeding aud reaving of eattl&____ The cost of keeping poor stork i* as great as that of good, while the net proceeds, and the satisfaction arising from good stock, is incomparably greater than that of poor. It looks very strange that this leading fact should require so much time and effort to be impressed indellibly, upon the minds of persons most interested thereby. It is a sell-evident proposition that what is worth doing at all is worth doing well, consequently if it is profitable to rear and keep cattle for butter and beef, it would be. the most profitable to possess, the .best breed, for the use designed, and give them the best possible care-, There is a strong tendency im the public mind in favor of a general reformation on the soltject.

Fine stock of nil kinds, is lading disseminated throughout the country much more rapidly than at any former time. The strongest objection urged against purchasing fine blooded stock, is that the price is high; but tlieanswer to this objection i« that improved stock will give a return far greater than that of common. .The quality and character of the bull bred from, is of a greater importance than that of good cows. The characteristics of the male are generally transmitted in a more positive torm than that of the female. Hence the importance, in an attempt at careful breeding, to procure the services of a thorough bred bull. Audit is not. sufficient that the bull exhibits a tine form and splendid appearance, but the character of his parents should be well understood This oa. n only be done by the aid of pedigrees, carefully preserved; and at the present time reliable records of all the prominent breeds are cautiously kept so as to prevent, deception and fraud therein. It is uot the intention, in this paper to give a preference for any particular breed, over others, but merely to speak of the “Short Horn battle,” in an independent manner. This breed has been much more largely introduced from abroad than any other. The cows of 4his blood are good milkers, both as to quantity and quality; and when ceasing to be profitable for the the dairy, are soon converted into beef, with less expense than most other breeds. Those who are the most successful men in breeding stock of any kind, purchase the best of the kind, of either, horses, sheep, swine or poultry, that can l)eobtained, and then give them the best shelter, food and care, and such men are always successful. —/Tj\