Domestic Encyclopædia (1802)/Breeding of Cattle

BREEDING of Cattle: As the different circumstances to be attended to in the management of cattle, will be stated when treating of the various kinds of useful animals, we shall here only observe, that the first thing to be considered is beauty of form; the next is proportion of parts, or what may be called utility of form; the third, which has engaged the attention of midland breeders, is the texture of the muscular parts, or what is called flesh; a quality which, however familiar it may have been to the butcher and consumer, has not in general been attended to by breeders. In short, it is a rule applicable to all sorts of live-stock, to breed from straight backed, round bodied, clean, small boned, healthy animals; carefully rejecting such as have roach backs and heavy legs, with much external appearance of offal, &c.

To the late Mr. Bakewell, of Dishley, who was undoubtedly the most scientific breeder of his time, we are indebted for many new and important improvements in the art breeding cattle. His principle was, to procure the best beast, that would weigh most in the valuable joints; and thus, while he gained in point of shape, he also acquired a breed much hardier, and easier fed, than any other.

With respect to the breed of oxen, Mr. Bakewell asserts, that the smaller the bones, the more perfect will be the make of the beast, and the quicker it will fatten. The breed preferred, and considered by him as the best in England, is that of Lancashire. The shape which should be the criterion of a cow or bull, an ox, or a sheep, is that of a hogshead, or a firkin, with legs as small and short as possible. He found from various experiments in different parts of the kingdom, that no land is too bad for a good breed of cattle, and particularly of sheep. The great advantage arising from his breed is, that the same quantity of food will suffice them, much longer than it will any other kind; besides which, the wool is of the finest quality, and the sheep stand the fold perfectly well.

The wintering of cattle, also received particular attention from this professional breeder: his horned beasts were tied up during the winter, in sheds, and fed with straw, turnips, or hay; all the lean beasts were fed with straw alone, and lay without litter. Young cattle, that require to be kept in a thriving state, are fed upon turnips; and as the spring advances, and this vegetable becomes scarce, hay is their only food.

The floors, on which the cattle stand, are paved, and raised six or eight inches above the level of the yard; and each crib being only broad enough for a beast to stand on, its dung falls on the lower pavement; by which contrivance it is kept perfectly clean without litter.