ect, and who have assisted in preparing for them. The great wealth
of these gentlemen has been well expended in the outlay and risk
attending the extensive and valuable importations of the best breeding
cattle and sheep which they have made into this country from time to
time from England and the continent of Europe. We are already reaping
the advantages of the presence of the valuable animals embraced in these
numerous importations. Scattered as they are throughout the country,
infusing the best blood of Europe's choicest stock into our 'natives,'
they so improve our cattle and sheep as to raise them to the highest
degree of excellence and value. It is a circumstance of which every
American may be proud, that Mr. Thorne has been so successful in
breeding, from his imported stock, cattle which he has sent to England,
and which have there borne off the prize as the best breeders in the
world.

There are no indigenous breeds of either cattle or sheep in this
country. The only animals of the bovine race found here when this
continent was discovered were the buffalo and the musk ox. The 'natives'
are a heterogenous mixture of various breeds, introduced from time to
time for different purposes, and allowed to cross and recross, breed
in-and-in, and mingle as chance or convenience dictated. The cattle and
sheep were procured at different times from the continent of Europe,
from England, and the Spanish West Indies, to supply the present wants
of labor and food. The first cattle brought here are said to have been
introduced by Columbus. The Spaniards afterward brought over others,
from whence no doubt sprang the wild cattle of Texas and California.
About the year 1553, the Portuguese took cattle to Newfoundland, of
which, however, no traces now remain; and in the year 1600, Norman
cattle were brought into Canada. In the year 1611, Sir Thomas Gates
brought from Devonshire and Hertfordshire one hundred head of cattle
into Jamestown; and thirteen years later, Thomas Winslow imported a bull
and three heifers into Massachusetts. Thus was begun the importation of
cattle for service and food into this country, which has continued to
this day, not always, however, with the just discrimination as to the
geographical and climatic peculiarities of the different animals which
was and is necessary for the highest success of the movement. Happily,
the various agricultural societies and publications, contributed to and
supported by our most