Domestic Animals

hey are as widely disseminated, and more generally useful. Like sheep and all our domestic brutes, the

ed to resume that natural condition, by which both plants and animals approximate to the character of their original head, they have scarcely deviated in any respect, from the domestic

Domestic

mpian cows but little exceed the largest sheep; yet the last are compact and well-made, and yield a good return for the food consumed. Every country, and almost every district, has its peculiar breeds, which by long association have becom

test perfection in form and character for the various purposes to which they are devoted. We have derived, directly from Great Britain, not only the parent stock

eir peculiar characteristics have soon become merged in those herds by which they were surrounded. Some few French and Spanish cattle, the descendants of those remote importations, made when the colonies of those kingdoms held possession of our northern, western, and southern frontiers, still exist in th

ve C

It embraces some of the best, some of the worst, and some of almost every variety, shape, color, and character of the bovine race. The d

importations, yet a large number have that general approximation in character, features, and color, which entitles them to claim a near kindred with one of the choicest cultivated breeds. They have the same symmetry, but not in general the excessive delicacy of form, which characterizes the Devons; the same intelligence, activity, and vigor in

y of Massachusetts, nearly thirty years since, is especially to be mentioned, as resulting in decided benefit wherever they were disseminated. Some of the old Yorkshire, or as they are sometimes styled, the long-horned Durhams, have been introduced, th

the farmer, an originally good stock has, in frequent instances, been carefully fostered, and the breeding animals selected with a strict reference to their fitness for perpetuating the most desirable qualities. As a consequence of this intelligent and persevering

of some favorite foreign breed, which emigrants have brought from their native home, as did the Pagan colonists their penates or household gods; the cherished associates of early days, and the only relics of their father-land. Such are an occasional small herd of po

De

ess and symmetry of frame, yet with sufficient bone and muscle to render them perfectly hardy; and they are among the most vigorous and active of working cattle. They have great uniformity of appearance in every feature, size, shape, horns, and color. The cows and bulls appear small, but the

so successful has he been in developing their milking properties, that his average product of butter from each cow, is 4 lbs. per week for the whole year. He has challenged England to milk an equal number of cows of any breed, against 40 pure Devons, to be selected out of his own herd, without as yet having found a competi

, but is well expanded in its attachment to the breast and shoulders. The last has the true slant for activity and strength, in which it excels all other breeds of equal weight. The barrel is round and deep, with a projecting brisket. The back is broad and level; the flank full; hips wide; the rumps long; the quarters well developed, and capable of holding a great quantity of the most valuable meat. The tail is on a level with the back, and gracefully tapers like a drum-stick, to the tuft on the end. The legs are of peculiar delicacy and fineness, yet possess great strength. The skin is of medium thickness, of a rich orange hue, pliable to the touch

Horns, o

d, but now frequently has a downward tendency, with the tips pointing towards each other. They are light, and comparatively short; clear, highly polished, and waxy. The head is finely formed, with a longer face but not so fine a muzzle as the Devon. The neck is delicately formed without dewlap, the brisket projecting; and the great depth and width of the chest giving short, well-spread fore-legs. The crops are good; back and loin broad and flat; ribs projecting; deep flank and twi

t-Horn

upon other animals, they are evidently an ancient breed, though much the juniors of the Devon and Hereford. Their highly artificial style, form, and character, are unquestionably the work of deeply studied and long-continued art; and to the same degree that t

OF SHORT HORNS I

the last century, and which were known as the milk breed; and some of these, with others termed the beef breed, were taken into Kentucky by Mr.

y was widely scattered. (American Herd Book.) They were also imparted into New York, by Mr. Cox, in 1816; by Mr. Bullock, in 1822; by the late Hon. S. Van Rensselaer in 1823; and immediately after, by Mr. Charles Henry Hall, of Harlem. Some small importations were made into M

g.

-Horn

with the nice regard for pedigrees which the introduction of the herd book, and careful purity in breeding

he first, been favorites in the rich, corn valleys of the West, their early maturity and great weight giving them a preference over any other breed. The only drawback to this partiality, is their inability, from their form and weight, to reach remote eastern markets in good condition; an objection now in a great measure remedied, by the recent remission of

ous weight of 1778 lbs. A heifer, running with her dam, and on pasture alone, weighed at seven months, 476 lbs. An ox, seven years old, weighed 2362 lbs. From their comparatively small numbers in this country, most of them have been retained for breeders; few, as yet, have been fattened, and such only as were decidedl

g.

ford

efo

tuberant in bone (?) but full and mellow in flesh; chest full; loin broad; hips standing wide, and level with the chine; quarters long, and wide at the neck; rump even with the level of the back, and not drooping, nor standing high and sharp above the quarters; tail slender and neatly haired; barrel round and roomy; the carcass throughout deep and well spread; ribs broad, standing flat and close on the outer surface, forming a smooth, even barrel, the hindmost large and full of length; rou

g.

ford

d-brown, with not a spot of white about them. It is only within the last fifty or sixty years that it has been the fashion to breed for white faces. Whatever may be thought of the change of color, the present breed is certainly far superior to the old one. The hide is considerably thicker than that of t

he Devon ox, and greater strength, if not his activity. The Herefordshire ox fattens speedily at a very early age, and it is therefore more adv

o be found. To compensate for this, they are even more kindly feeders than the Devons. Their beef may be objected to by some as being occasionally a little too large in the bone, and the fore-

, N. Y. These Herefords are among the very best which England can produce, and come up fully to the description of the choicest of the breed. Mr. Sotham, after an experience of several years, is satisfied with the cows for the dairy; and he has given very favorable published statements of the results of their milking qualities, from which it may be properly inferred,

Ayrs

t of Mr. Tennant, of Scotland, who owns a large herd, fifteen quarts per day during the best of the season, twelve of which made a pound of butter. The product of the latter averages about 170

urposes. A large number have been imported in detached parcels, and scattered through the country. They are good animals, but seem to combine no valuable properties in a higher degree than are to be found in our own good cattle, and especially suc

r countries. Till after 1770, the cows in Cunningham were small, ill-fed, ill-shaped, and gave but little milk. Some cows of a larger breed and of a brown and white color, were about that time brought to Ayrshire f

n, in the neighborhood of the Short Horns; and from their general resemblance, both externally and in their gene

ENT OF

omical. The milk of one good cow is sufficient, with a run of fresh, sweet pasture, to the feeding of two calves at the same time; and if we allow the calves to arrive at three or f

ilk is precisely adapted to the perfect health and thrift of the young, and whenever we substitute for it any other food, we must watch carefully that no

eldom take all the milk at first, and whatever is left in the bag should be thoroughly removed by the hand. If the calf is destined for the butcher, he must have all the milk he wants for at least six weeks, and eight or ten is better

ving the milk be an object, it is still doubtful whether it is not better that he should have a part of i

h is daily repeated till he is put to grass. This has a purgative effect, similar to the first milk. Flaxseed is then prepared, by

of sweet, well-cured clover, in on

arley, rye, or Indian meal may be

or ground, is the best and safest grain for all young stock. The milk should not stand more than half a day before feeding to young calves. As they advance in age, it may be fed rather older, but should never be allowed to become sour; nor should

use its ruminating habits. Calves thus brought up, have often proved light-bellied, indifferent feeders, and decidedly inferior animals. When the calf is r

and trough should be placed under the shed in his range, and fine hay put

s and R

il, and ? dr. ginger, with a little warm milk or gruel;

o administer half a pint of cider, with an equ

ttle rennet

prepared chalk; and one pint water. Mix together, and give a wine-gla

removed by gi

ater, injected into the stomach; and repeat part of this d

the latter to other food. Their stomachs are delicate, and need gentle, moderate changes, when necessary to make t

hree times a day, at blood heat, and keeping the stomach in proper order, wil

sweet hay and roots, the latter either chopped or mashed by a roller, with the

until the grass furnishes a good bite on a well-compacted sod. The change from hay to grass must be gradual, unless the latter is considerably matured. The extreme

edi

as ready for this at a year and a half as others are at three. Early breeding gives delicacy and symmetry to the form of the heifer, but it checks its growth; and when it is found to put her back too much, she may be allowed to rest for a few months, or even a year, to brings her up to the de

ing S

asional training. This practice will do as a pastime for trustworthy boys, as it makes them gentle and manageable

rown, strong, and perfectly accustomed to the yoke. If properly managed, cattle may be trained with all the docility,

ment o

ed to this purpose. A strong dash of Devon or Hereford blood is desirable, when it needs to be improved. A well-formed, compact, muscular

f cattle, when there is hard work to be done. The horse and mule are fed with their daily rations of grain when at hard service, and if the spirit of the ox is to be maintained, he should be equally well fed, when as fully employed. Great and permanent injury is the result of niggardly feeding and severe

rutes could change places, long enough at least to teach the biped that humanity by his own sufferings which his reason and sensibility have failed to inspire. Clear and intelligible, yet low and gentle words are all that are necessary to guide the well-trained

ht, by beginning with an empty cart on a descent; then on a level; then with an incr

will seldom contract this habit, in the hands of a judicious, careful driver. The yokes should be carefully made, and set easy, and the bows fitted to the necks and properly attached to the yoke. Cattle a

Bulls or Vic

e to be found at the agricultural warehouses; and are made of round iron, three-eighths of an inch diameter, with a j

g.

e-Han

d is a pair of calliper-shaped legs, one stationary, and the other opening on a joint. The fixed leg is inserted against one side of the nostril, and the oth

??????

ng savag

cap, with a chain reaching to the ring in the nose. The effect of his attempting to hook, is illustrated by the various positions of

g.

tle

convenient and comfortable mode of fastening c

me for turnin

eep them as long as they can be made profitable, and yet be turned off for fattening at a fair price. We have seen active and spirited oxen in the yoke at 16 or 17; but they seldom do as well after 12 or even 10 years. Old cattle are liable to more diseases than young; are less hardy; and they recover more slowly when exposed to scanty feed or hard usage. They also fatten with more difficulty, and their meat is inferior. When

ning

is better to be occasionally changed, to give variety and freshness, and keep the animal in good appetite. Let the fattening animals have the best, and after they have cropped it a while, give them a fresh field; and the other animals or sheep can follow and clea

g.

g.

g.

11. The above cuts illustrate the forms whic

f Animals for S

ock. When other means for ascertaining fail, it is a safe rule to select the best-conditioned animals, out of a herd of grass-fed; for if all were of equal flesh and health, when turned out, those which have thriven most on their summer pasture, will generally fatten quickest on their fall and winter keep. Only the best should be selected. The remainder, after consuming the coarser forage, may be at once dispo

g.

Cattle I

elbow; L, brisket, bosom, or breast; M, shoulder; N, crops; O, loin; P, hip, hucks, hocks, or huckles; Q, crupper bone, or sacrum; R, rump

l-Fe

fficient room, yet not so near as to allow of injuring each other. The building should be warm, but not hot; well ventilated, yet having no current o

n as may be necessary. If he refuses his food, a temporary privation, or variety is essential. When the food is changed, he should be moderately fed at first, till he becomes accustomed to it, as there is otherwise danger of cloying, which is always injurious. The moment the animal has done feeding, the remainder of the food ought to be at once removed. H

g.

cut

aitch or adz-bone; 4, buttock; 5, hock; 6, thick flank; 7, thin flank; 8, fore-rib; 9, mi

g.

on of

he two larger pasterns to each foot.-18. Sesamoid bones.-19. Bifurcation of the pasterns.-20. Lower jaw and the grinders.-21. Vertebr?, or bones of the neck.-22. Navicular bones.-23. Two coffin bones to each foot.-24. Two smaller pasterns to each foot.-25. Smaller or splint-bone.-26. False ribs, with their cartilages.-27. Patella, or bone of the knee.-28. Small bones of the hock.-29. Metatarsals, or larger bones of the hind leg.-30. Pasterns and feet.-31. Small bones of the hock.-32. Point of t

ES IN

welling of

uch food, that its contents cannot be expelled. Inflammation of the membrane takes place, and decomposition of the food soon follows. This is known by the di

too severe, it has been removed by admini

n poured dow

o pints of lam

ng b

ne-fifth its bu

d down the throat, followed by

atile spirit of ammoni

mixed with cold lard and forc

dissolved in a pint of warm wat

tolerably

the Albany Cultivator, the American Agriculturist, and other reliable Amer

e of giving th

s and draws out the tongue as far as possible, when the medicine is thrust belo

ith a swab or bulbous end. Two persons hold the head of the animal, so as to keep the mouth in a line with the throat, while a third forces it into the stomach

given after the bloat has subsided, and car

aying inflammation, and resto

ip bone, towards the last rib in the left side. If the hole fills up, put in a large goose-quill tube, which to prevent s

s with clover, roots, apples, &c. When first put upon such feed, it should be when the dew and rain are off, and

g.

g.

tomac

ng at b, and another at the bottom d, as shown in Fig. 16. For injections, Fig. 15 is used, and the end of the syringe is placed in a vessel containing the fluid, when a probang or injection-tube is screwed on to the side opening at b, through which the fluid is forced into t

ok

ved by some of the

oned under the head of remedies for Hoven,

allowing, by holding a smooth block against it,

gth, the root may

small cord, close to the body, and giving the animal a sudd

full of soft soap, mixed with suffic

ot feeding them when the animals are very h

ion of th

a sudden change from dry to gre

carbonate of soda, in sufficient quant

ed by changing th

, or

about the eyes and other parts. The skin is scaly o

sulphur and lard, after scr

nces; linseed oil, 1 pint. Melt the turpentine and warm the oil, and when partly cooled, stir in the sulph

will be found, on close investigation, to be caused by minute insects loc

orn, or

inted fare, hard usage, and exposure to cold. We have noticed this

; eyes and head swollen; standing with the head against

d physic, shelter

salt, one teaspoonful of pepper, and mix and pour into

the head; and if hollow, bore nearer the head and let out all the matter, and syri

nd the base of the horns, will arres

g hot brimstone into the

on the horns, holding so as to p

r given intern

e, or Y

s, and is sometimes owing to increased or altered quality of the bile. It is manifeste

d, and purge w

ground mustard may be mixed with

is a good

It

ng around the nose and base of the horns. They will lick their sides and backs, and jerk and hiccup t

will eat; soon after, give ? or 1 lb. of brimst

rrain, or

d f?tid evacuations, tenderness over the loins, and coldness of the horns. Tumors and biles so

n large flukes taken out of the liver, strongly resembling the common leech, which abounds in many of our swampy lands. It is certain that on new, low swamp

ough the brute creation are perhaps less sensitive to these influences than man, yet, as they are governed by the same unvarying laws of nature, when subjected to conditions totally unsuited to their

d then thoroughly purged. In obstinate cases, this last is a difficult matter. We have given repeated doses of po

and if the animal neglects drinking after taking them, he should be drenched with

may be made of soap and water; or take 2 or 3 gills of oats boiled,

llowed with a pint of linseed oil,

recover, gentle astringent

supplied with two or three troughs under cover, on the sides and bottoms of which tar should be plentifully spread. Let equal portions of salt and slaked lime be in one; salt and woo

of

, fever, and a soft swel

e grains of corrosive sublimate. If it does not fully adhere, it must be mixed with hog's lard, but it should be so applied as to be out

it, when either of the above applications, or blue vitriol put on tw

oe, and striking it with a mallet till it is cut off. If it does not bleed freely, cut off shavings till it does. If the animal

s o

, prostration, and

an mash, with good hay,

made with brandy a

ood; and bitter infusions, chamomile fl

, or D

, and give a strong infusion in bran. If they refuse to eat it, pour it

rb

e discernible by a protuberance or swelling on the back. They may be pressed out by the thumb and fing

un

white vitriol; 2 oz. salt; 2 oz. linseed oil; 8 oz. molasses. Boil over a slow fire 15 minutes in a pint of urine, and when al

Puerper

the time of calving. It may, in almost every case, b

e blood; then give 1 to 1? lbs. of Epsom salts, according to the size of the b

e given when purgatives ar

ed

rd, till it becomes very yellow. When cool, apply it to the swollen ud

day, cut up with potatoes or mea

s the appetite, and is goo

rg

exists in caked bag and sore, swollen teats,

e a large dose of physic; then

of sulphur is

od, is a general application with farmers. The garget plant grows from three to six fe

e T

same applications for it as for caked bag. The bag and teats should be

ow wax and three of lard; melt together, and when cooling, rub in one

a

l. The others penetrate into the flesh, and may be removed by a ligature of fine twine, or silk, or

caustic,) applied to the wart, wil

trong was

he juice o

with grat

ssors, when the cow is dry. It

s on Work

reventive is, good yokes; the application of grease; or a decoction of white or yellow oak bark applied to the

of Poison

und and adjacent parts three or four times a day. For a full-grown animal, one quart of oli

of Bees,

and salt, rubbing t

Formin

times its weight of water. If the tumor comes to a head, open it near the bottom

and V

ult of mange, which is itself the effect of ill-feeding and ill-condition. They are removed with th

le sand, ashes, or dirt plentifully around the roots o

train or other oil has

e or other poison, as it may be licked by the animal

Trem

affected by it. This disease, which exists principally in the region of the Wabash River, is supposed by Dr.

ite. The next stage of the disease is faintness and vertigo, which is shown when the an

s accustomed to eating it, and when they can be induced to feed upon it freely, purging is generally secured. Rest

ers of animals. Remedies for these are frequently not discovered, and the epidemic is allowed to run its course unchecked. The only preventives

the other animals mentioned in this work, the general resemblanc

ce is the merest empiricism. The owner should see to it, if he employs one of whose attainments he is doubtful, that neither medicines nor operations be used, unnecessarily severe or hazardous to the animal. Especially, should the diabolical practice be interdicted, of the abundant and indiscrimin