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sheep may be apparently fine, but it will be brittle, and of little value to the manufacturer.

A regular supply of food to the sheep is essential to the growth of good wool, for that part of the hair which grows when the animal is in a high state of flesh, will be thick, and that which is grown when it is reduced by hunger, will be weak and thin; and consequently the thickness of hair will always be irregular, if the animal passes from one extreme to the other.

The alteration which may be made in any breed of animals by selection, can hardly be conceived by those who have not paid some attention to this subject; they attribute every improvement to a cross, when it is merely the effect of judicious selection."

UPON the contested point of the size of cattle, it may be proper to say something on the present occasion.-Even keeping the grand object of all farmers and graziers, in view, viz. profit, the only consideration would seem to be, what variety of any particular breed of cattle will soonest make the most profit, or return of flesh or fleece from a given quantity of food. It follows therefore clearly, that if the same quantity of food be placed on one animal or on three, in a given time the profit to the farmer is the same. In the case of sheep, the superior value of the fleece may even more than compensate for a deficiency of flesh, were that an object of prime attention, but it is a fact, as has been more than once stated, that even in respect to flesh the Merino breed is inferior to none. Without detailing the arguments which might be urged on both sides of the question, we may say generally, that the result of several experiments made in direct reference to the point, was in favour of the superior profit of smaller animals. Much more however will certainly depend upon the

* These experiments were made by the late Duke of Bedford, and the result inserted in the 23d and 26th Vols. of Young's annals of agriculture.— Those of Mr. Billingsley, and Mr. Davis, both well known as good farmers, are related in the 7th and 8th Vols. of the Memoirs of the Bath Society. See also Dr. Parry's prize essay on sheep, in "Communications to the Board of Agriculture of London,” Vol. V. p. 461.

disposition of the animal to take on fat, than upon his size, and hence the great importance of attending to the improvement of form is made manifest. In the case of sheep, it will be seen by the communication* in this number, that those of a small size are more profitable feeders than the larger species. Both large and small cattle however are necessary; the former for long voyages, the latter for home consumption, and the judicious farmer will always of course suit his stock to his pasture, or to the particular situation or circumstances in which he may be placed. Thus on upland, if the farmer feeds on clover and has not the excellent green grass, or spear grass as it is sometimes called, (Poa Viridis,) it is a folly to attempt to feed cattle above 6 or 700 Cwt. for the frost will destroy his grass, and then corn, potatoes and hay must be resorted to. In the luxuriant meadows on Delaware and Schuylkill, owing to the abundance of that most excellent natural production of the United States, just mentioned, cattle will continue to thrive a full month after frost, and then, if destined for long voyages, corn meal for a short time will pay well; but as usually given, a loss will inevitably be sustained.

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AMERICAN CATTLE.

NO slander against the United States has been more widely circulated than that first promulgated by the Count Buffon, that "all animals and vegetables are smaller in the new world than in the old." We owe the first refutation of this absurdity to Mr. Jefferson, who in his "Notes on Virginia," has by a fair comparison of the productions of both countries, shown, that so far from the fact being as stated by Buffon, the advantage is on our side.

The facts stated by Mr. Jefferson, were all derived from the production of our forests, and numerous others might be added of a similar nature. But with respect to the effect of cultivation on domestic animals, no collection of facts has as yet been made public, and for this reason the following paper is given. It will

* By Mr. Birkbeck.

show to the world, that our grasses contain as much nourishment, and that our climate is as favourable as that of the old world, to the rearing of stock. Great pains have been taken so insure accuracy in the details.

Account of large Cattle, Hogs, and Sheep, chiefly sold in the Philadelphia Market.

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1. A Cow raised by the late Jacob Hiltzheimer of Philadelphia, and sold February 28th, 1787.

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2. A five year old Steer, fed by Lawrence Sickle, Esq. of Philadelphia, one summer and winter.

Beef,

The belly fat,
Kidney do.

14943 lbs.

278

100

3. Ten head of cattle fed by the same gentleman, produced 2,439 lbs. of belly and kidney fat, with one summer's feeding.

4. A Steer raised at Haddonfield, New Jersey, and killed at Philadelphia, April 1787, weighed alive, 2,140 lbs.

5. In June 1802, an ox was exhibited in New York; he was seven years old, and weighed upwards of 3000 lbs. net. He was twenty hands high, at the withers. His circumference around the ribs was ten feet, and the distance from the tip of his nose to the extremity of tail was 18 feet. He was raised in Beekmantown, Dutchess County, New York, by Theod. Van Wyck.

6. An ox full as large as the above, was exhibited at Washington, in March 1804. He was six years old, and also weighed 3000 lbs. He was raised in Chester County, Pennsylvania.

7. An Ox fatted by James Hunt, of Hopewell, New Jersey, in 1807-weighed alive,

Weight of beef,

Rough tallow,
Hide,

2120 lbs.

1280

214

121

8. A Heifer raised by Wm. West of Upper Darby, Delaware County, Pennsylvania, sold for 200 dollars to J. Barney.

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A Steer, raised at Tulpehocken, Lancaster County, was killed on the 12th of March, 1807, weighed alive, 2,140 lbs.

9. A Steer raised by T. Smith, of Tinicum Island, Delaware Co. nearly 6 years old, killed March 26th, 1808, and sold for 250 dollars to John Barney.

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10. Two Oxen fed by Joseph Taylor, of Brandywine, near West Chester, weighed alive, 4,368 lbs. Sold to J. Barney.

11. A Cow fed by L. Sickle, aged five years, killed April 7th

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12. Weight of two Steers fed by William Sheaff.

Live weight,

Beef,

2436-2422 lbs.
1554-15432

13. An Ox fed by Mr. Grub, West Chester, about 4 years since.

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14. A Steer 6 years old, from a Holland Cow, by an English Bull, raised from 4 weeks old, by Mr. Wm. Guier, of Philadelphia, killed March 9th, 1808.

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Length from back of horn to point of rump,

Height over withers,

-over rump,

Ft. In.

8 7

3 11

8

5 5

5 64

Another Steer fed by Mr. Wm. Guier, weighed alive 2394 lbs.

Beef,

15293

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