Produced by Simon Gardner, Steven Giacomelli and the Online Distributed Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net (This file was produced from images produced by Core Historical Literature in Agriculture (CHLA), Cornell University) Transcriber's Notes This plain text version of the book has been prepared using the Latin-1 character set. Italic typeface is represented by the use of _underscores_. Small capital typeface is represented using ALL CAPS. The oe ligature is indicated by [oe] and [OE]. Inconsistent spellings, hyphenation, formatting etc. are retained as in the original, except where typographical errors have been corrected: these are listed at the end of the book. * * * * * [Illustration: frontispiece] DOMESTIC ANIMALS. HISTORY AND DESCRIPTION OF THE HORSE, MULE, CATTLE, SHEEP, SWINE, POULTRY, AND FARM DOGS. WITH DIRECTIONS FOR THEIR MANAGEMENT, BREEDING, CROSSING, REARING, FEEDING, AND PREPARATION FOR A PROFITABLE MARKET ALSO, THEIR DISEASES, AND REMEDIES. TOGETHER WITH FULL DIRECTIONS FOR THE MANAGEMENT OF THE DAIRY. BY R. 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 1847 By RICHARD L. ALLEN, In the Clerk's Office of the District Court of the United States for the Southern District of New York. INTRODUCTION. 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.