Litchfield enquirer. [volume] (Litchfield, Conn.) 1829-current, 1847-10-14
ON DOMESTIC ANIMALS.

~
tons of Domestic Animals constitute so great
. proportion OF the income and wealth of the
tarmer.as in New England, il becomes con-
sideration Of no little importance to. keep only
such Of their various kinds as will produce the
greatest net income from given amount Of
fsod and care. Ard thisc0nsiderstion derives
additional importance from the comparative
high price which may be obtained for the f., d.
particularly Of those kinds requiring grain
during part or NEST Of the year.
II is not little surprising that there are
dairy. Assn a this day, Who will he conienf
to keen herd Of cows which will pvnducss
only $50 to 900 lbs average OF cheese per cow,
while his adjoining neighbour with perhaps no
better care or keeping as easily obtains an ev
erage oflC0 more; and the inquiry immediaie>
y arises in the mind whence the ditieren,e !
1t is believed that the difference arises mainly
from two causes, raising and selecting. While
the one raises any that happen to suit his con.
venience without regard u the character 1T The
immediate progenetor, or il he purchases has
peculiar external and almost infallihle char
acteristics Of good COW, and is guided to his
choice by the difference of doll ar or two in
the price, and buys the cheapest. The other
il he raises, raises only his best stock. or If he
buys he is able By the most careful observation
and experiment to selrct such as will be most
profitable, the character Of the animal rather
than the price directing his choice.
1t 10 the department OF working oxen doubt
less that we as a County excel the evidence
OF which iact are the beautiful we'll trained
animals annually exhibited al our Fairs, III,
testimony Of thousands who have visited tn.
fairs Of the N Y State Agricultural Society,
and American Institute and unhesitatingl,
declare that they have never seen our show
equalled, and also the repeated instances in
which the highest prizes have been born.
away from the fairs 81 a sister State.
II 10 here we see exhibited The beneficial
results OF the operations Of this Society, not
alone among its own members but among
class Of farmers who OF 10y years ago believed
tibet any animals that would eat their hay and
draw their pillow or cart, no matter what were
their breed. form OF color. were as profitable
as those Of the most improved breeds with
their beautiful color and glossy coats, the al
most perfect symetry of form, sprightllness OF
action aud tractabihty Of temper which indi
cate their adaptedness TO the uses 10 which
tlIs class Of stock - applied. regarding these
characteristics merely as mattere Of fancy
such men are seen at our fairs. scrutinizing
with incessed interest tom yeal to year the
various Kinds oi stock exhibited, thus culiiva-
ting tisiI taste and improving their judge
ment
These men are stocking their farms wiihthe
best animals the. eau obtain, with only q
secondary regard To the original outlay. This
sir II 10 believed Is the legitimate result Of the
Operations vi this society.
II will not be denied tina; less attention has
been gwen to the raising and introduction oil
Of fine, healthy, serviceable horses, than lie
importance OF this kind of stock would seem TO
demand. 1t is within the observatI n OF very
onrs that large proportion Of the horses
rassed IN the couniy, by the time they arrive
al maturity, become 50 diseas, d in lungs as t.
| render thtir service matter si lit,ie profit OF
| pleasure 10 The owner. A great part oi the la
boz performed by our no, ses is pertot 10. d by
animals whose expense oi keeping and sheeins
~ ~ great asthat Of an animal thai would per-
form twice the amount Of labor in given
time. and thus very greatly enhance the profit
| ana comfort Of the Own.r So far a. the OBJ.
| servaii"ns OF ysnr committee have ext ended,
the vlls complained Of have increased rather
than diminished tot the last ~ Or Is years.
The causes of these evils should be matter
| Of earnest enquiry by all who are engaged IN
producing this kind OF stock. AHlong the
Lfst Of these causes It is believed will be- found
| to be raising IRON unhealthy female ptogeni-
ttrs, and also ignorance in training and feed.
ing.
But there are indications Of better things,
| maRyine. healthy valuable animals have been
introduced within lew years from abroad. and
also an increased attention to raising this kipd
Of stock il discsrnAble in some quarters which
cannot fail ultimately to produce favorable
| results. qss st E sg.t 4.t4ss.s.
In the department Of swine an almost end
less variety exists throughout the county, and
while the fine formed Berkshire has been re-
jected from supposed deficiency in weight,
there il danger Of rushing TO opposite extreme
in the rage for great weight. and thus Of oh.
tanning race Of animals whose extreme char
acteristics indicate cOarsly of flesh, and great
cOnsumption OF food in proportion to the quan.
iity Of meat produced. BY judicious seiec-
ton Of a medium between these two extremes,
selecting individuals Of such external charac.
teristics AZ are known to be indicative of early
maturity. disposition to fatien with inenPss Of
flesh and quietness Of disposition, it 10 believes,
our breed Of swine CHI be improved.
4 As the growing OF wool has become an OBJ
ject Of lees Importance at,th east. since the
Introduction into our western country. Of large
focks Of sheep, which are kept at 80 little ex
psDse 40 10 render il impossible for the eastern
wool grewer successfully 10 compete with the
western. Il becomes subject Of enquiry
whether those breeds whose increase and ear
cass are valuable 10 the butcher in supplying
our large towns wiih meet. will mt tin connec-
tioa with the fleece produce a greater net iD-
come than those which are Of little vsiue ex-
cept for the production Of wool. There Il
doubtless much diversity OF opinion on fhii
subject which experience alone can decide.
4 Allwhich 10 rsspectfuIIy sabmitted
/ Hill III. nj HART. Chairman.
i ON STOCKS or CATTLE.
| Thecogmitiee on Stocks 81 Cattle, hav.
Jog attended 50 z4sir dnties. beg l@ave 10 re.
Il a l9E A.