The Project Gutenberg eBook ofDomestic AnimalsThis ebook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this ebook or online atwww.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you will have to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this eBook.Title: Domestic AnimalsAuthor: Richard Lamb AllenRelease date: October 31, 2010 [eBook #34175]Language: EnglishCredits: Produced by Simon Gardner, Steven Giacomelli and the OnlineDistributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (Thisfile was produced from images produced by Core HistoricalLiterature in Agriculture (CHLA), Cornell University)*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK DOMESTIC ANIMALS ***
This ebook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of the Project Gutenberg License included with this ebook or online atwww.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you will have to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this eBook.
Title: Domestic AnimalsAuthor: Richard Lamb AllenRelease date: October 31, 2010 [eBook #34175]Language: EnglishCredits: Produced by Simon Gardner, Steven Giacomelli and the OnlineDistributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (Thisfile was produced from images produced by Core HistoricalLiterature in Agriculture (CHLA), Cornell University)
Title: Domestic Animals
Author: Richard Lamb Allen
Author: Richard Lamb Allen
Release date: October 31, 2010 [eBook #34175]
Language: English
Credits: Produced by Simon Gardner, Steven Giacomelli and the OnlineDistributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (Thisfile was produced from images produced by Core HistoricalLiterature in Agriculture (CHLA), Cornell University)
*** START OF THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK DOMESTIC ANIMALS ***
Transcriber's NotesChanges to the text (correction of typographical errors) are listedat the end of the book.INTRODUCTION.INDEX.CHAPTER I.Introductory Remarks—General Principles Of Breeding, Nutrition, Management, &c.CHAPTER II.Neat or Horned Cattle.CHAPTER III.The DairyCHAPTER IV.Sheep.CHAPTER V.The Horse.CHAPTER VI.The Ass.CHAPTER VII.Swine.CHAPTER VIII.Farm-Dogs.CHAPTER IX.Poultry.
Changes to the text (correction of typographical errors) are listedat the end of the book.
INTRODUCTION.INDEX.CHAPTER I.Introductory Remarks—General Principles Of Breeding, Nutrition, Management, &c.CHAPTER II.Neat or Horned Cattle.CHAPTER III.The DairyCHAPTER IV.Sheep.CHAPTER V.The Horse.CHAPTER VI.The Ass.CHAPTER VII.Swine.CHAPTER VIII.Farm-Dogs.CHAPTER IX.Poultry.
HISTORY AND DESCRIPTION
OF THE
HORSE, MULE, CATTLE, SHEEP, SWINE,POULTRY, AND FARM DOGS.
WITH DIRECTIONS FORTHEIR MANAGEMENT, BREEDING, CROSSING, REARING,FEEDING, AND PREPARATION FOR APROFITABLE MARKET
ALSO,THEIR DISEASES, AND REMEDIES.
TOGETHER WITHFULL DIRECTIONS FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF THE DAIRY.
ByR. L. ALLEN,AUTHOR OF "COMPEND OF AMERICAN AGRICULTURE," ETC.
NEW-YORK:ORANGE JUDD, 41 PARK ROW.AGRICULTURAL BOOK PUBLISHER.1865.
Entered according to an Act of Congress in the year 1847By RICHARD L. ALLEN,In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States for the Southern District of New York.
The object of the following work, on the History, Breeding, Management, Diseases, &c., of Domestic Animals, is to afford the Stock-breeder and Grazier a connected view of the entire subject in which he has so deep an interest. The writer has endeavored to compress within the limited space assumed as necessary to secure a general circulation and perusal, such principles and practice, and give to each that relative prominence, which it becomes the practical man to observe, to realize the greatest amount of value for the labor and capital devoted to his pursuits.
Their history is essential, as it shows their introduction into the United States, their progress during the various stages of their improvement, and the comparative value of the improved and ordinary breeds. A knowledge of the best mode of breeding and management is of still higher importance. The first will enable the breeder to preserve the high character of the animals in his hands, or perhaps still farther to advance them; while proper management and feeding will prevent that deterioration and loss from disease, which frequently subtract so much from his profits.
A larger space has been purposely devoted to the last topics, in preference to the subject of diseases, as prevention is not only less troublesome than cure, but much more economical. Feeding and management, after breeding, are really the important objects in view to the Stock-breeder and Grazier, for if these be judiciously attended to, disease among the herds will rarely be known.
The subject of animal diseases is complicated and little understood; and to be properly comprehended, requires years close, intelligent study, under every advantage for obtaining the necessary information. Nearly every disorder assumes various shades of difference, and to remove it effectually a corresponding change of treatment is required. How absurd then the idea, that a compilation of formal remedies, administered by an unskilful or inexperienced manager, will be of material service in rescuing his herds or flocks from the ravages of disease. All that can consistently be done, is to give a few simple remedies for the most common and well-known ailments, and leave to nature or a professional farrier, such as are more complex or unusual.
This work (with many subsequent and important additions) constitutes a small part of the "Compend of American Agriculture," the favorable reception of which, though but recently given to the public, has induced the writer to offer this important division of the subject in its present detached form.
New York, November, 1847
PageAnimals, domestic, reared in the U. States9their number and value9their improvement10adaptation to various objects10general form and characteristics13the lungs14respiration14effects of17perspiration18food which supplies respiration18circumstances which augment respiration19food21purposes fulfilled by food22nutritive qualities for various animals23profit of feeding23SeeCattle,Sheep, &c.Ass, the181varieties181characteristics182breeding in the U. States182as a beast of burden183Breeding—principles of11SeeCattle,Sheep, &c.Cattle—neat or horned26various domestic breeds26native cattle27Devons29short horns30Herefords35Ayrshire38management of calves39breeding41breaking steers42management of oxen42fattening and stall-feeding45Diseases41,50hoven50choking52inflammation of stomach52mange or scab52horn-ail—jaundice53mad-itch—bloody murrain54hoof-ail55loss of cud—scours or diarrhœa—warbles or grubs—wounds—puerperal or milk-fever56caked bags—garget—sore teats—warts57Cows for dairy60management of61milking61SeeDairy.Comparative value of oxen and horses190Churns69Dairy, the60Dairy—selection and management of cows60,61milking61properties of milk62variations in63cream—clouted ditto65Making butter from sour, sweet, and clouted cream66,67sourness of cream68quickness in churning68over-churning69temperature of milk and cream69advantages of churn'g the whole69cleanliness in churning70premium butter, how made70Orange county do. do.71Making cheese, how effected72creamed and uncreamed73buttermilk cheese73whey do.74vegetable substances added74preparation of rennet75different qualities of cheese77warming the milk77quality of rennet78quantity of rennet78treatment of curd79separation of whey80cheese, salting81addition of cream81size of cheese81mode of curing82ammoniacal cheese82inoculating do.82premium cheese, how made83Ducks—seePoultry.Farm dogs207-214Feeding defined21SeeCattle,Sheep, &c.Food, comparative nutritive qualities of22how given, purposes fulfilled by it22changes in24SeeAnimals, Products, &c.Geese—seePoultry.Guinea-hen—seeditto.Hens—seePoultry.Hinny—seeAss.Horse—the Arabian and Barb138the English139American141Arabians in America139,140Ranger, the Barb—Bussorah—Narraganset pacers—Messenger, imported140Morgan horses142Canadian and Spanish143Conestoga143Norman144Cart, Cleveland bay, Belfounder145Eclipse, American141points of146habits147breeding148management of colts149breaking150longevity, feeding151Diseases154glanders154lampas, heaves, &c.155catarrh or distemper, spasmodic colic156flatulent colic158inflammation of bowels159physicking162worms164bots164wind-galls165the fetlock166cutting166sprain of the coffin-joint—ringbone167enlargement of the hock168curb168bone-spavin—swelled legs170grease171setons173founder—poison from weeds174inflammation of the eyes175stings of hornets, &c.175sprain175bruises—fistula176wounds—galls176shoeing, contraction of the foot176corns177over-reach, forging or clicking178the bearing-rein178the bit179stables180comparative labor with oxen190Mule, the—breeding in the U. S.183rearing and management184advantages over horse labor185valuable qualities185enduringness of186in California188economy of mule-labor189Poultry—their value214Hens—constituent of eggs214food215general management216the poultry-house218varieties220,221diseases222Turkey, the223breeding and management223Peacock, the224Goose, the—varieties—breeding225feeding and food225Ducks—feeding—varieties226breeding and rearing227Sheep, the84uses of—importance of85varieties of wild—domesticated87native89Merino, the, history of90exportation from Spain92importation into the U. States93varieties94Saxon, the96Rambouillet, the99history of Merino in U. States101improvements of102peculiarities of103breeding104localities for rearing106South-Down, the, history of106Cheviot, the109Long-wools, the110improvement of the Bakewell110improvement of Cotswold and Lincolnshire112peculiarities of the Long-wools113importation into the U. States113breeding sheep113Winter management116sheep-barns and sheds116racks, mangers, and troughs117food118management of ewes, yeaning119management of lambs119castrating and docking120tagging or clatting121Summer management and food121washing122shearing124smearing and salving125weaning126drafting126stall feeding—management on the prairies127Diseases128diarrhœa or scours129looseness in lambs, dysentery130hoven, braxy130costiveness, stretches, poison, inflammation of lungs, rot131foot-rot132flies, maggots, gad-fly133swollen mouth, foul noses, weakness, scab134ticks, pelt-rot, staggers or sturdy135abortion, garget, bleeding136wounds137to protect from wolves and foxes138Shepherd's dog209Swine192various breeds194breeding and rearing198rearing and fattening, large weights199treatment of food201products of the carcass202lard oil, how made203slearine and oleine203curing pork and hams203Diseases204coughs and inflammation of the lungs, costiveness, itch, kidney-worm205blind staggers206Wild Boar193
DOMESTIC ANIMALS.
The principal domestic animals reared for economical purposes in the United States, are Horned or neat cattle, the Horse, the Mule, Sheep, and Swine. A few Asses are bred, but for no other object than to keep up the supply of jacks for propagating mules. We have also goats, rabbits, and the house domestics, the dog and cat; the two former, only in very limited numbers, but both the latter much beyond our legitimate wants. There have been a few specimens of the Alpaca imported, and an arrangement is now in progress for the introduction of a flock of several hundred, which, if distributed among intelligent and wealthy agriculturists, as proposed, will test their value for increasing our agricultural resources. We shall confine ourselves to some general considerations, connected with the first-mentioned and most important of our domestic animals.
Their number as shown by the agricultural statistics collected in 1839, by order of our General Government, was 15,000,000 neat cattle; 4,335,000 horses and mules, (the number of each not being specified;) 19,311,000 sheep; and 26,300,000 swine. There is much reason to question the entire accuracy of these returns, yet there is doubtless an approximation to the truth. Sheep have greatly increased since that period, and would probably number, the present year, (1848,) not less than 30,000,000; and if our own manufactures continue to thrive, and we should moreover become wool exporters, of which there is now a reasonable prospect, an accurate return for 1850, will undoubtedly give us not less than 33,000,000 for the entire Union. There has been a great increase in thevalue of the other animals enumerated, but not in a ratio corresponding with that of sheep. This is not only manifest in their augmented numbers, but in the gradual and steady improvement of the species.
It may be safely predicted, that this improvement will not only be sustained, but largely increased; for there are some intelligent and spirited breeders to be found in every section of the country, whose liberal exertions and successful examples are doing much for this object. Wherever intelligence and sound judgment are to be found, it will be impossible long to resist the effects of a comparison between animals, which, on an equal quantity of the same food, with the same attention and in the same time, will return 50, 20, or even 10 per cent. more in their intrinsic value or marketable product, than the ordinary class. This improvement has been, relatively, most conspicuous in the Western and Southern states; not that the present average of excellence in their animals surpasses, or even reaches that of the North and East; but the latter have long been pursuing this object, with more or less energy, and they have for many years had large numbers of excellent specimens of each variety; while with few exceptions, if we exclude the blood-horse or racing nag, the former have, till recently, paid comparatively little attention to the improvement of their domestic animals. The spirit for improvement through extensive sections, is now awakened, and the older settled portions of the country may hereafter expect competitors, whose success will be fully commensurate with their own. Before going into the management of the different varieties, we will give some general principles and remarks applicable to the treatment of all.
The purpose for which animals are required, should be first determined, before selecting such as may be necessary either for breeding or use. Throughout the Northeastern states, cows for the dairy, oxen for the yoke, and both for the butcher, are wanted. In much of the West and South, beef alone is the principal object; while the dairy is neglected, and the work of the ox is seldom relied on, except for occasional drudgery.
Sheep may be wanted almost exclusively for the fleece, or for the fleece and heavy mutton, or in the neighborhood of markets, for large early lambs. The pastures and winter food, climate, and other conditions, present additional circumstances, which should be well considered before determining on the particular breed, either of cattle or sheep, that will best promote the interest of the farmer.
The kind of work for which the horse may be wanted, whether as a roadster, for the saddle, as a heavy team horse, or the horse of all work, must be first decided, before selecting the form or character of the animal.
The range of pig excellence is more circumscribed, as it is only necessary to breed such as will yield the greatest amount of valuable carcass, within the shortest time, and with the least expense.
All breeding is founded on the principle, thatlike begets like. This is, however, liable to some exceptions, and is much more generally true whenbreeding downthan whenbreeding up. If two animals (which can never be exactly similar in all respects) are requisite to the perpetuation of the species, it necessarily results, that the progeny must differ in a more or less degree from each parent. With wild animals, and such of the domestic as are allowed to propagate without the interference of art, and whose habits, treatment, and food are nearly similar to their natural condition, the change through successive generations is scarcely perceptible. It is only when we attempt to improve their good qualities, that it is essential carefully to determine, and rigidly to apply, what are adopted as the present scientific principles of breeding. We cannot believe that we have penetrated beyond the mere threshold of this art. Unless, then, we launch into experiments, which are necessarily attended with uncertainty, our duty will be, to take for our guide the most successful practice of modern times, until further discoveries enable us to modify or add to such as are already known and adopted. We may assume, then, as the present rules for this art,
1st. That the animals selected for breed, should unite in themselves all the good qualities we wish to perpetuate in the offspring.
2d. These qualities, technically calledpoints, should be inbred in the animals as far as practicable, by a long line of descent from parents similarly constituted. The necessity for this rule is evident from the fact, that in mixing different species, and especially mongrels, with a long-established breed, the latter will most strongly stamp the issue with its own peculiarities. This is forcibly illustrated in the case of the Devon cattle, an ancient race, whose color, form, and characteristics are strikingly perpetuated, sometimes to the sixth oreven a later generation. So far is this principle carried by many experienced breeders, that they will use an animal of indifferent external appearance, but of approved descent, (blood,) in preference to a decidedly superior one, whose pedigree is imperfect.
3d. All the conditions of soil, situation, climate, treatment, and food, should be favorable to the object sought.
4th. As a general rule, the female should be relatively larger than the male. This gives ample room for the perfect development of the fœtus, easy parturition, and a large supply of milk for the offspring, at a period in its existence, when food has a greater influence in perfecting character and form, than at any subsequent time.
5th. Exceptions to this rule may be made, when greater size is required than can be obtained from the female, and especially when more vigor and hardiness of constitution are desirable. For this purpose, strong masculine development in the sire is proper, and if otherwise unattainable, something of coarseness may be admitted, as this may be afterwards corrected, and nothing will atone for want of constitution and strength.
6th. Pairing should be with a strict reference to correcting the imperfections of one animal, by a corresponding excellence in the other.
7th.Breeding in-and-in, or propagating from animals nearly allied, may be tolerated under certain circumstances, though seldom; and only in extreme cases between those of the same generation, as brother and sister. When the animal possesses much stamina and peculiar merit, which it is desired to perpetuate in the breed, it may be done either in the ascending or descending line, as in breeding the son to the parent, or the parent to his own progeny. This has been practised with decided advantage, and in some cases has even been continued successively, as low as the sixth generation.
8th. It is always better to avoid close relationship, by the selection of equally meritorious stock-getters of the same breed, from other sources.
9th. Wholesome, nutritious food, at all times sufficient to keep the animals steadily advancing, should be provided, but they must never be allowed to get fat. Of the two evils, starving is preferable to surfeit. Careful treatment, and the absence of disease, must be always fully considered.
10th. Animals should never be allowed to breed either too early or too late in life. These periods cannot be arbitrarilylaid down, but must depend on their time of maturity, the longevity of the breed, and the stamina of the individual.
11th. No violent cross, or mixing of distinct breeds, should ever be admitted for the purposes of perpetuation, as of cattle of diverse sizes; horses of unlike characters; the Merino and the long-wools, or even the long, or short, and the middle-wools. For carcass and constitution, these crosses are unexceptionable; and it is a practice very common in this country, and judicious enough where the whole produce is early destined for the shambles. But when the progeny are designed for breeders, the practice should be branded with unqualified reprehension.
Within certain limits, these may be reduced to a common standard. All animals should have a good head, well set up; a clean fine muzzle, and a blight, clear and full, yet perfectly placid eye. With the exception of the dog and cat, whose original nature is ferocity, and whose whole life, unless diverted from their natural instincts, is plunder and prey; and the jockey racehorse, which is required to take the purse, at any hazard of life or limb to the groom; a mild, quiet eye is indispensable to the profitable use of the domestic brute. The neck should be well formed, not too long, tapering to its junction with the head, and gradually enlarging to a firm, well-expanded attachment to the back, shoulders, and breast. The back or chine should be short, straight, and broad; the ribs springing out from the backbone nearly at right angles, giving a rounded appearance to the carcass, and reaching well behind to a close proximity to the hip; tail well set on, and full at its junction with the body, yet gradually tapering to fineness; thighs, fore-arms, and crops well developed; projecting breast or brisket; the fore-legs straight, and hind ones properly bent, strong and full where attached to the carcass, but small and tapering below; good and sound joints; dense, strong bones, but not large; plenty of fine muscle in the right places; and hair or wool, fine and soft. The chest in all animals should be full, for it will be invariably found, that only such will do the most work, or fatten easiest on the least food.
From the last-mentioned principle, founded on long experience and observation, Cline inferred, and he has laid it down as an incontrovertible position, that the lungs should always be large; and Youatt expresses the same opinion. This is undoubtedly correct as to working beasts, the horse and the ox, which require full and free respiration, to enable them to sustain great muscular efforts. But later physiologists have assumed, perhaps from closer and more accurate observations, that the fattening propensity is in the ratio of the smallness of the lungs. Earl Spencer has observed, that this is fully shown in the pig, the sheep, the ox, and the horse, whose aptitude to fatten and smallness of lungs, are in the order enumerated.
This position is further illustrated by the different breeds of the same classes of animals. The Leicester sheep have smaller lungs than the South Down; and it has been found, that a number of the former, on a given quantity of food, and in the same time, reached 28 lbs. a quarter, while the South Downs with a greater consumption of food, attained in the same period, only 18 lbs. The Chinese pigs have much smaller lungs than the Irish, and the former will fatten to a given weight, on a much less quantity of food than the latter. (Playfair.) The principle would seem to be corroborated by the fact, that animals generally fatten faster in proportion to the quantity of food they consume, as they advance towards a certain stage of maturity; during all which time, the secretion of internal fat is gradually compressing the size, by reducing the room for the action of the lungs. Hence, the advantage of carrying the fattening beast to an advanced point, by which not only the quality of carcass is improved, but the quantity is relatively greater for the amount of food consumed. These views are intimately connected, and fully correspond, with the principles of
From careful experiments, it has been found that all animals daily consume a much larger quantity of food than the aggregate of what may have been retained in the system, added to what has been expelled in the fœces and urine, andwhat has escaped by perspiration. Boussingault, who combines the characteristics of an ingenious chemist, a vigilant observer, and a practical agriculturist, made an experiment with a "milch-cow and a full-grown horse, which were placed in stalls so contrived that the droppings and the urine could be collected without loss. Before being made the subjects of experiment, the animals were ballasted or fed for a month with the same ration that was furnished to them, during the three days and three nights which they passed in the experimental stalls. During the month, the weight of the animals did not vary sensibly, a circumstance which happily enables us to assume that neither did the weight vary during the seventy-two hours when they were under especial observation.
The cow was foddered with after-math, hay, and potatoes; the horse with the same hay and oats. The quantities of forage were accurately weighed, and their precise degree of moistness and their composition were determined from average samples. The water drunk was measured, its saline and earthy constituents having been previously ascertained. The excrementitious matters passed, were of course collected with the greatest care; the excrements, the urine, and the milk were weighed, and the constitution of the whole estimated from elementary analyses of average specimens of each. The results of the two experiments are given in the table on the next page.
The oxygen and hydrogen that are not accounted for in the sum of the products have not disappeared in the precise proportions requisite to form water; the excess of hydrogen amounts to as many as from 13 to 15 dwts. It is probable that this hydrogen of the food became changed into water by combining during respiration with the oxygen of the air."
FOOD CONSUMED BY THE HORSE IN 24 HOURS.