1

2
LESSON
Agricultural Animals:
l Beasts of Burden
A. Reading

Sorne people think that man's use of animals really prompted

the start of agriculture. Man as a roving hunter tamed certain
animals and then became a herdsman who moved from place to
place with them. Since pasturage was not available everywhere,
he tended to remain in more favored spots with bis herds. Thi_s
was the start of the settled life of man. Once he was settled he
planted desired plants in protected spots and horticulture had its
beginning. _
The anirnals first tamed were probably the dog and horse. The
dog is used to manage groups of other anirnals, and is occasionally
used as a beast of burden to pulí sleds and carts.

3
 BEASTS .OF. - BURDEN
·---· ... _ 77 .

The horse is surely the most used beast of burden, but other
animals are used in sorne areas of the world. The donkey and
the mule are among the more frequently used. The mule is the
result of matíng a mare and a jackass. .The opposite
combination of a jennet and a stallion will producea mnny, which
is not as desirable as a mule.
The ox is still an important animal in many parts of the world.
In other areas, the carabao, a slow moving animal also known as
a water buffalo, is much used, chíefly in the Philippine Islands.
The camel is much used in desert areas of Africa. The llama is an
important animal in the mountains of South America, and is used
chiefly as a pack animal. In more northern areas, the reindeer is
used as a beast of burden, and like the goat, is also useful for the
milk it produces.

B. Terminology Practice
ass: a rather small animal used as a beast of burden; same as
donlcey The mule is the result of mating a ruare and a jackass.
The ass is the same as a donkey, only larger.
An ass can carry a large load on its back.
beast of burden: animal used to work for man in carrying or
pulling loads
The horse is surely the most used beast of burden.
A dog is occasionally used as a beast of
burden. Another beast of burden is the
llama.
comel: a beast of burden
The carnel is much used in desert areas of Africa.
One of the most common beasts of burden is the
camel. Camels can travel long distances with little
water.
cerebccr a water buffalo
dog: an animal sornetimes used by man for work, but
most often tamed to be a companion
· The animals first tamed were probabíy the horse and the
dog.
We used dogs to guard our
farm. This dog can take care of
the cattle.
donkey: a rather small animal used as a beast of burden; same
as ass
The donkey and the mule are the most frequently
used. A donkey can carry a lot of weight.
~ donkey is the same asan ass, but usually smaller.. .
4
78 HORTICULTURE ANO LIVESTOCK

goat: a small animal sometirnes used as a beast of burden and

a pro•
ducer of milk
The goat is useful for the milk it produces.
Sorne goats are able to climb very steep
slopes. V/e hada herd of 40 goats.
herd: a group of animals all of one type
in
Man tended to remain favored spots wíth his herds.
He has a fine herd of horses.
One frequently sees berds of carabao in the Philippines.
herdsman: a man who takes care of a group of animals
Man became a herdsman who moved from place to place
witb his animals
We won't need another herdsman if we use a dog.
Our herdsman is notable to take care of bis animals.
hinny: an animal produced by the mating of a stallion and a jennet
Hinnys are not considered very useful
animals. A hinny cannot reproduce.
An example of a hybrid animal is the hinny.
horse: · a large animal
The animals first tamed were probably the dog and
horse. The horse is probably the most used beast of
burden.
We don't have horses any more.
[cckess: a male ass or donkey
The mule is the result of mating a jackass and a
mare. We need only one jackass.
This jackass can carry a large load.
¡ennet: a female ass or donkey
The opposite combination of a jennet and a stallion
produces a hinny.
We had a large herd of jennets.
Jennets are usually smaller than jackasses.
llama: an important beast of burden in South America
The llama is used chiefly 'as a pack animal.

Llama

5
 J!EASTS OF BURI)EN 79

Llamas work well high in the mountains.

There are also many wild llamas in South Arnerica.
more: a female horse
· The mule is the result of mating amare anda jackass.
Four mares grazed in the field.
Mares are usually easier to handle than stallions.
milk: a liquid a f emale produces to feed her young
The reindeer is also useful for the milk it produces ..
Cattle produce most of the milk used by man.
Goats are capable of producing a relatively large quantity of milk.
mule: the hybrid animal produced by a jackass and a rnare .
The hinny is not as desirable as a mule. We
make no attempt to produce hinnys. Why aren't
hinnys as useful as mules?
ox: (pi.: oxen) an animal used as a beast of -burden, usually a cas•
trated male of the cow family
The ox is still an important animal in many parts of the world. Two
oxen are often used together. ·
Oxen are very slow moving animals.
pack animal: an animal used to_carry loads on its back.
The llama is used chiefly as a pack animal.
Pack animals are used in transporting loads across rough country.
. The ass is often ·u sed as a pack animal.
pasturoge: same as pasture
reindeer: 1arge animal found in northern parts of the world
In more northern areas, the reindeer is used as a beast of burden.
Reindeer are used to pull sleds .
. - The .reindeer is useful for the milk it produces.
stallion: a male horse
Toe opposite combination of a jennet and a staUion will produce a
hinny.
Sorne stallions are hard to handle.
Could your dogs help bring in the stallions?
Oxen

6
80 HORTICULTURE AND UVESTOCK

tome: make useful to man

Man as a roving hunter tamed certain animals.
The animals first tamed were probably the horse and
the dog. Sometimes reindeer are tamed to become
beasts of burden.
water buffalo: a large animal which is often 'tamed; a
carabao Toe water buffalo, or carabao, is a slow
moving animal. Water buffalo can pull very heavy
loads.
We brought in four wild water buffalo.

C. Check-Up

Match the terms on the lejt with their definitions on the right.
1. tamed a. a hybrid animal
2. mare b. animals man uses to carry or pull
loads
3. mule c. a female horse
4. herdsman d. a male horse
5. beast of burden e. the liquida female produces
6. stallion f. a man who takes care of a group of
animals
7. milk g. made useful to man ·

7
LESSON

2Horses as Draft and

Saddle Animals

A. Dialogue

Farmer: I suppose you're lucky-coming along at a time when

Iarrning has become highly mechanized. But I think
you have míssed something great in not having horses
to work with.
Assistant: I can remember seeing you work with the big
team. But
you talk as though I know nothing of horses. I think
I'm pretty good with saddle horses.
Farmer: But that's not the same as draft horses. Those
anima1s
stand 16 or 17 hands high. That means 64 to 68
inches at the withers. They may weigh nearly a ton.
Assistant: That's about ...twice whata good saddle horse would
weigh.
Our old team was Percheron, wasn't it?

8
82 HORTICULTURE ANO LIVESTOCK

Farmer: Yes; one was bay and the other gray. Mr. Smith, down
the road, once had a beautiful team of Clydesdale.
One was brown and the other was chestnut. They were
big with long
Assistant: If you had to give up the tractor, what breed would
you choose?
Farmer: Oh, I would probably have another Percheron
team. I
think they're docile and easily trained.
Assistant: I wish we had a need for saddle horses. I like the spirit
of something like an Indian pony or quarter horse.
Farmer: So do I. lt's good to ride a gaited horse. I'll
take the
Arabian.
Assistant: Why don't we get one?

B. Terminology Practice

Arabian: A breed of horse noted for its beauty, speed, and spirit
I'll take the Arabian.
The Arabian or Arab is probably the rnost famous of saddle
horses. The Arabian can run faster than any other horse we
have.
bay: a color of sorne horses; a redor brown; light reddish
chestnut
One was hay and the other was
gray. You can ride the bay.
Our old tearn was bay.
breed: (n._.) a classification of a type of animal
What breed would you
choose? That is a very
strong breed.
He uses two breeds of horses.
chestnut: in this case, a color of sorne horses; a kind of reddish
brown
Toe other was chestnut.
He had a beautiful pair of chestnut
Clydesdale. Have you seen the chestnut
mare?
Clydesdale

9
 HORSES 83

Clydesdale: a breed of horse, noted for its size and strength

Mr. Smith, down the road, once hada beautiful team of
Clydesdale. Clydesdales are often brown or chestnut.
Sorne Clydesdales weigh more than a ton.
draft horse: a horse used to pull loads
Clydesdales are draft
horses. We keep only draft
horses.
Do you know where I can buy a good draft horse?
gaited: said of a horse which has been trained to walk or run
with particular foot movements
It's good to ride a gaited
horse. This horse isn't gaited.
I want to buy a gaited horse.
gelding: male horse which has been made incapable of reproducing
They were geldings.
Geldings are usually quieter than
stallions. I won't pay. that much for a
gelding.
hand: in this sense, a measurement of the height of horses; a hand
is
4 inches or 10.16 centimeters
Those animals stand 16 or 17 hands
high. This Arabian measures 15 hands.
Small breeds measuring less than 14 hands are classed as ponies.
lndian pony: a small horse used by American Indians in the
western United States
I like the spirit of something like an Indian pony.
There are still sorne wild Indian ponies in the West.
One type of lndian pony is called the Mustang.
Percheron: a breed of large horse used as draft animals
Our old team was Percheron, wasn't it?
Oh, I would probably have another Percheron
team. The Percheron originallycame from France.
pony: a small horse standing not over 14 hands high
I like the spirit of something like an Indian pony.
Very small ponies are used by children.
One of the ponies died.
Shetland Pony Percheron

10
84 HORTICULTURE AND LIVESTOCK

quarter horse: a saddle horse capable of high speed for ¼

rnile or about 400 meters
I like the spirit of something like an Indian pony or quarter
horse. At one time, quarter horses were very valuable in
América.
He has a very fast quarter horse.
saddle horse: a horse suitable for riding
I think I'm pretty good with saddle
.horses. I wish we had a need for
saddle horses. Saddle horses must
have strong backs.
shoulder: that part of the animal where the front Iegs join the body
They were big, with long legs and tall
shoulders. The withers are between the
shoulder blades. This horse has weak
shoulders; don't ride it.
spirit: the quality of a horse which is its measure of activity
I like the spirit ·of something like an Indian pony ór quarter
horse. That stallion is very spirited.
I'm afraid this horse has lost its spirit.
team: two or more horses working together to pull the sarne thing
I can rernember seeing you work with the big
team. Our old team was Percheron, wasn't
it?
Oh, I would probably get another Percheron tearn.
withers: that part of the back of a horse or mule between the
tops of the shoulders
That meaos 64 or 68 inches at the
withers. The withers are the point of
measurement. Draft horses are thick at
the withers.

Quarter Horse

,, :' ., ...

11
 -H ORSES - 85

C. Check-Up

Fill in the blanks with the proper terms f rom the list.
draft quarter horse
horse hay ·
pony gelding.
- Arabia
hand hígh. n gaited
s
l. My horse is 16
2. is the color of a horse.
3. A cannot reproduce.
4. A horse is one which has been trained to walk and run.
5. The is a beautiful horse.
6. A canrun short distances very fast.
7. A Clydesdale is· usually used as a _
8. A is a little horse.

12
LESSON

3 Cattle ·1 (Beef)

A. Dialogue

1 st Farmer: Someone told me you are looking for sorne new

beef cattle.
2nd Farmer: Well, I would like to buy a few cows and a bull.
My
herd needs sorne new blood.
1 st Farmer: I have sorne good Shorthorn heifers.
2 nd F armer: I'm looking for Angus or Hereford.
1 st Farmer: Why don't you change to Shorthorns? They're as
big and more docile than Herefords. And they dress
out more of the best cuts.

13
 CATTLE 1 87
2nd Farrner: You may be right, but I prefer the Angus. They may
look srnall, but they weigh more than you would think.
And I think their calves are stronger, anyway.
1st Farmer: ·. But the cows don't produce enough milk to
Ieedthese calves. That's why I like the Shorthorns.
2nd Farrner: That reminds me of something else; the Angus are
1 st Farrner: polled. That's right. I think I would probably try Polled
Dur• hams if I were planning to change breeds. They
are also good milkers.
2nd Farrner: I'm all for breeding polled animals. Think how
dangerous it would be . if all our cattle had horns
like the Texas Longhorns,
1 st Farrner: Dangerous to the cattle as well as man. But they
could be dehorned, of course.
2nd Farrner: And I think more weight is gained with polled
cattle. Well, I wish you had a few steers, at least.
1 st Farrner: We're going to castrate sorne of our calves in a few
weeks.
2nd Farrner: But I'm afraid they aren't the breed you
1st Farmer: want. No, they aren't. I'll see you in a few
2nd Farrner: weeks.
Good. I'll look forward to seeing you then.
Goodbye.
Goodby
B. Terminology Practice
Aberdeen Angus: a type of beef cattle
I'm looking for Aberdeen Angus or
Hereford. Why don't you like the Angus?
The Aberdeen Angus originated in Scotland.
blood: in this case, cattle from a different family of the same
breed
My herd needs sorne new blood.
I bought a new bull to bring in sorne new blood.
My herd looks better since I brought in new blood.

Angus Heifer

14
 88 HORTICULTURE ANO LIVESTOCK

bull: a male of the cattle family

I would like to buy a few cows and a
bull. He has a good bull for sale.
Lct's hring in sorne new blood with a good bull.
calf: (pl.: calves) the young of cattle, baby cattle
And I think their calves are stronger,
anyway. This cow had her first calf a few
weeks ago.
The cows don't produce enough milk for their calves.
castrate: to rnake a bull unable to reproduce
· We're going to castrate sorne of our calves in a few
weeks. Sometimes a calf dies after he has been
castrated.
A steer is a castrated bull.
cow: an adult female of the cattle family
I would like to buy a few cows anda
bull. His herd has 40 cows.
We're going to sell sorne of our cows.
cut: a severed portian of a dressed anirnal's body
They dress to more of the best cuts.
These steers aren't producing very good
cuts. There's usually more meat in the
better cuts.
dress: to kill and prepare for eating
And they dress out more of the best
cuts. We're going to dress four steers
today.
There wasn't much left after it was dressed.
heifer: a young cow that has not produced a calf and is usually
under
3 years of age
I have sorne good Shorthorn
heifers. We sold three heifers
yesterday.
I want to buy sorne Hereford heifers.

Calves

15
 CATTLE 1 89

Hereford: a breed of beef cattle

I'm looking for Aberdeen Angus or
Hereford. Herefords have red bodies with
white faces.
The Hereford is .one of the most_ popular breeds of beef
cattle in
the United States.
horn: hard growth on the head of sorne cattle and other
animals Think how dangerous it would be if all our cattle
had horns. But they could be dehorned, of course.
It is dangerous to the animal to remove its horns.
milker: in this case, a cow that is a producer of rnilk
They are mulleys and good milkers,
too. We're going to get a new herd of
milkers. This cow is nota good milker.
on the hoof: said of live animals
They're bigger on the hoof.
What is your price on the
hoof?
I paid 27 cents per- pound on the hoof.
_ polled: without horns; hornless by nature
I'm all for breeding polled animals.
I think more weight is gained with polled
animals. I want only polled cattle.
Polled Durham: a breed of hornless cattle
I think I would probably try Polled Durhams.
The Polled Durham is not an irnportant breed in the United
States. The Polled Durham was originated by breeding
mulley cows to
Shorthorn bulls.

Hereford Shorthorn

16
1 •

90 HORTICULTURE AND L!VESTOCK

Shorthorn: a breed of beef cattle with short horns

I have sorne good Shorthorn heifers.
Shorthorn cows produce plenty of milk for their
calves. That's why I like Shorthorns.
steer: castrated male of cow family raised for beef
Well, I wish you had a few steers, at Ieast.
I plan to sell sorne steers next
week. Let me show you sorne of
my steers.
Texas Lonqhorn; a breed of cattle which has almost disappeared
Think how dangerous it would be if our cattle had horns
like the
Texas Longhorns.
There used to be many Texas Longhorns in the
southwestern part of the country.
The Texas Longhorn was used for beef for centuries.

C. Check-Up

Match the terms on the left with their definitions on the right.
1. Hereford a. a group of cattle
2. milker b. to make a bull unable to reproduce
3. calves c. a breed of cattle
4. heifer d. the young of cattle
5. mulley e. a young female cow which has not calf
6. herd f. produced
·a a produces milk primarily
cow which
7. bull g. without horns
8. castrate h. a male member of the cattlc family that nct
has castrated
been

17
 LESSON

tf 4 Cattle2
(Dairy and Dual-Purpose)
A. Dialogue

1 st Farmer: Good morning, Mr. Stevens. I'm thinking of

getting a dairy herd. I would like to talk to you
about it.
2nd Farmer: Good morning, Mr. Raft. I'll be happy to tell you
what
I know. Have you considered a breed yet?
1 st Farmer: Well, I noticed that your herd is Holstein. You
must have a good reason for selecting that breed.
2nd Farmer: I like the Holstein because it produces more
milk than any other breed I know about. There
isn't as much but•
.terfat in their milk .as the Guernsey. The Jersey
pro•
duces milk with high butterfat content, too.

18
92 HORTICULTURE AND LIVESTOCK
1 st Farmer: Within the breed, how do you tell when you've got
a good prod ucer?
2nd Farmer: You can tell fairly well by- the size and shape of the
udder. The teats should be of good size and spaced far
apart. The milk veins should be large, both on the bag
or udder and along the underside of the body.
1st Farmer: Do you breed your cows with a bull?
2nd Farmer: No. I use artificial insemination only. I think I have a
better choice in bulls, and generally better daughters
are produced with a really good sire. Besides, it costs
less. And it's certainly safer. I've heard that the semen
1st Farmer:
from one bull can service several thousand cows a
year. That's true. And you can control the quality if you
2nd Farmer:
ferti• lize only really good dams. Why don't you
consider a dual-purpose breed like the milking
Shorthorn? That strain is similar to your beef
Shorthorns.
1st Farmer: That sounds like a good idea. Thank you for your
2nd Farmer: help. Not at all

B. Terminology Practice

artificial insemination: the controlled process of fertilizing the female

with semen from a selected male without direct contact between the
anirnals
No, I use artificial insemination.
I'll use artificial insemination on the dairy herd.
Artificial insemination is not used rnuch with beef cattle.
bag: another name for udder
The milk veins should be large, both on the bag and along
the underside of the cow.
Her bag isn't very large.
Her bag looks like she hasn't been milked.
breed: in this sense, to fertilize the female with semen from a male,
directly or indirectly
Do you breed your cows with a bull?
This cow has to be bred.
This is the bull which bred her.

19
 CAITLE 2 93

butterfat: the natural fat which milk contains

There isn't as much butterfat in their rnilk as, say, the
Guernsey. This herd produces milk with a high butterfat content.
Milk is judged oy the amount of butteríat in_ it.
da;,,~ a female which has produced young
And you can control the quality if you fertilize only really good
dams.
He bred only the best dams.
This dam has produced a lot of good milkers.
daughter: Iernale young (progeny)
Better daughters are produced with a really good sire.
This bull produces unusually good milk producing
daughters. The daughters should be bred by a good bull.
dual-purpose: said of something having two uses; here cattle
used for milking and for meat
Why don't you consider a dual-purpose breed like the milking
Shorthorn?
We want to find a good dual-purpose breed.
The milking Shorthorn is a dual-purpose breed.
fertilize: in this sense, to cause a female to produce young
And you can control the quality if you fertilize only really good
dams.
This bull has been able to fertilize about half the herd.
Why don't you_use artificial insemination to fertilize her?
Guernsey: a breed of dairy cattle
- They don't produce as much butteríat as, say, the Guernsey.
The Guernsey usually breeds very
easily. The Guernsey is not a· large cow.
Holstein: a breed of dairy cattle
Well, l've noticed that your herd is Holstein.
The Holstein is a large cow.
Do you have a good Holstein bull?

Guernsey Holstein

20
 94 HORTICULTURE AND LIVESTOCK

Jersey: a breed of dairy cattle

The Jersey produces rnilk with high butterfat
content, too. The Jersey bull is hard to handle.
I think one of the rnost important breeds is the Jersey.
lactcttion: the releasing of milk by the fernale
I think better lactation qualities are produced with a really
good
sire.
I want to buy a herd with good ]actation performance.
Lactation in Holsteins may result in 30,000 pounds of rnilk
ayear. milk veins: the large veins just under the skin in front of
and on the udder and the underside of the cow
The milk veins should be ·large.
A good milker will have very large rnilk veins.
The milk veins become larger as the cow gets older.
semen: the fluid produced by the male which can fertilize the female
I've heard that semen from one bull can service severa!
thousand cows a year.
The semen is taken from the bull and then frozen.
Semen may be kept for several years.
service: the breeding of a female animal by a male
I've heard that semen from one bull can service several
thousand cows a year.
This cow needs servicing right
away. The bull has already serviced
the cow.
sire n., the male parent, the father; v., to father
Better daughters are produced with a really good
sire. This bull has sired rnost of the calves boro
this year. He is a good sire.
strain: in this sense, a branch of a family bred to maintain
certain
qualities
That strain is similar to your beef
Shorthorns. We're trying to develop a better
strain of mil.kers. This particular strain can't
stand cold weather.

Oehorned Jersey

21
 : . CATILE .2 95 ..

teats: the four projections on the underside of the udder

through which milk passes as it leaves the cow
The teats should be of good size and spaced far
apart. One of her teats is injured.
Toe Guernsey usually has· large teats.
udder: the bag on the underside of a cow where milk is
produced and stored
You can tell Iairly we11 by the size and shape of the udder.
A Holstein has a large
udder. Her udder is full of
milk.

c. Check-Up

Fil/ in the blanks with the proper terms from the

list. dam
lactation semen
Holstein
udder fertilize
sire service
l. is the production of milk by a cow.
2. Toe fluid of amale used to fertilize the female is _
3. Another name for the bag of a cow is the _
4. Toe ~-- is the father.
5. The is the mother.
6. To a Iemale is to cause her to produce young.
7. is a breed of dairy cattle.
8. When amale breeds a female he is said to . her:--:. -·

22
 LESSON

5 Swine

A. Dialogue
Farmer: My hogs don't bring the prices they used to. What's
Advisor wrong? There's nothing wrong with your hogs. It's just
: that people don't want lard hogs like they once <lid.
Toe bacon hog is much more popular.
I guess ru have to sell my Poland China hogs. What's a
Farmer: good
breed
Advisor now?
Well, new breeds have been developed. The Landrace
: has been used to cross with older breeds to establish
new ones. So new breeds have been formed and newer
hybrids are possible. ·

Farmer: Won´t it take a long time to stablish new breeds?

Advisor Since the _sow's gestation period is only four .months, she
: can

23
 SWINE 97.
farrow two litters a year. Newer breeds are being developed rather
rapidly.
Farmer: What are sorne of the new breeds?
Advisor: Well, crossing the Landrace and the Poland-China produced
the Beltsville No. l. Toe Maryland No. 1 carne frorn the Landrace
and the Berkshire, and the Minnesota No. 1 from the Landrace-
Tarnworth cross. Ali of the new breeds have less · fat and more
lean meat.
Are the new breeds any harder to raise? .
Farmer: No, they really are easier. There's usually more milk for the
Advisor: pigs, making stronger shoats. Barrows grow faster because the·
young boars can be castrated earlier.
Can the gilts be bred any earlier?
Farmer: No. They are usually bred to farrow at one year of age.
Advisor: It sounds almost too good to be true.
Farmer: Yes, a different kind of swine has been developed. This is the
Advisor: result of carefully controlled breeding.

B. Terrriinology Practice

bocón: in this sense, used to describe hogs having less fat

Toe bacon hog is mucb more popular.
Bacon hogs don't produce as much Iard. ·
Toe Minnesota No. 1 is an example of a bacon hog.
barrow: castrated rnale hog
Barrows grow faster because the young boars can be castrated
earlier.
I want to sell my barrows.
We'll keep one of the boars for breeding and make barrows out of
the rest.
Berkshire: a breed of hog
Toe Maryland No. 1 carne from the Landrace and the Berkshire.
Berkshires produce a lot of lard.
Why don't you sell ali of your. Berkshires? ·
Beltsville No. 1: a breed of bacon hog
Crossing the Landrace and the Poland-China produced the Belts-
ville No. l.
In the United States the demand is for bogs of the Beltsville No. 1
general type.
- The Beltsville No. 1 type has replaced the íard-type hog.

24
93 HORTICULTURE ANO LIVESTOGK

boar: male hog

Barrows grow faster because the young boars can be
castrated earlier.
We'll use a Landr_ace boar for
_breeding. Boars can be vety
dangéroüs. -
farrow: to bring forth young pigs
They are usually bred to farrow at one year of
age. That sow farrowed 14 pigs.
She will probably farrow in another ten days.
fat: oily flesh
Ali of the new breeds have less fat and more lean
meat. The barrows have too much fat on them.
Lard is made from the fat meat.
gestation period: the time from breeding to
farrowing The sow's gestation period is only four
months. The gestation period for cattle is nine
months. What is the gestation period for horses?
gilt: a young sow which has not been bred
Can the gilts be bred any
earlier? I will sell these four gilts.
Mr. J ones said he wanted to buy sorne gilts.
hog: a pig; sow or boar; gilt or barrow
My hogs don't bring the prices they used
to. There's nothing wrong with your hogs.
l've decided not to raise any more hogs.
Landrace: a breed of bacon hog
Well, crossing the Landrace and the Tamworth produced the Min- _
nesota No. l.
The Landrace is usually one of the parents of the new
breeds. The Landrace is popular in north Europe.

Beltsville No. 1

25
 . SW INE 99

lard: in this sense, used to describe hogs having more fat

It's just that people don't want lard hogs as much as they once
did. The processed oil from the fat rneat is called lard.
The Poland-China is a lard hog.
lean: meat which has little or no oíl
All of the new breeds have less fat and more lean
meat. Lean rneat is considered more bealthful.
The Maryland No. 1 has a lot of lean meat.
litter: the group of young pigs that sows bring forth when they farrow
Since the sow's gestation period is only four months, she can
far•
row two litters a year.
This sow won't have her litter for another two weeks.
The litters have been srnall this year.
Maryland No. 1: a breed of bacon hog
The Maryland No. 1 carne from the Landrace and the
Berkshire. The breed called Maryland No. 1 is a fairly new one.
Maryland No. 1 's are becoming more popular.
Minnesota No. 1: a breed of bacon hog
. Well, crossing the Landrace and the Tamworth produced the Min•
nesota No. l.
The Minnesota No. 1 breed was established about 25 years ago.
If you want a fast-growing hog, why don't you try the Minnesota
No. 1? .
pig: • very young hog
There's usually more milk for the pigs.
My sow just had a litter of eight pigs.
. Most of our pigs are Poland-Chinas.
Polund-Chince a breed of lard hog
I guess I'll have to sell my Poland-China
hogs. The Poland-China was developed in
Ohio.
Sorne Poland-China boars weigh more than 1,000 pounds.

Poland-China

26
 100 HORTICULTURE AND LIVESTOCK

shoat: young hog

There's usually more milk for the pigs, making stronger
shoats. How many shoats do you have?
We now have 63 shoats.
sow: adult female hog which has been bred
Since the sow's gestation period is only four months, she can
farrow two litters a year.
Can you sell me a good sow?
That's too much money for that sow.
swine: another name for hogs
Yes, a different kind of swine has been
developed. Swine raisers like the new breeds.
Swine are an important meat source.
Tamworth: a breed of bacon hog
The Minnesota No. 1 carne from the Landrace-Tamworth
cross. That's an excellent specimen of the Tamworth
breed.
The Tamworth is tall and rangy.

Tamworth

C. Check-Up
l. Name two breeds ofhogs.
2. What is the period between breeding and Iarrowing?
3. What is a castrated hog called?
4. Give the names for the adult male and female hogs.
5. What is a young sow which has not yet been bred?

27
LESSON
-

6 Sheep·

A. Dialogue ·
1st Farmer: Have your ewes started lambing yet?
2nd Yes. Twins carne this morning to one ewe, and
Farmer: four or five others have lambed. How are your
doing?
1st Farmer: I've had nothing yet. My flock seems slower than
2nd yours. Don't worry. The Dorset is known for its
Farmer: fecundity. T hope their fleeces do better this year
than last.
1 st Farmer: My wool production per wether was low, too. I'rn
go•
2nd ing to get a new ram.
Farmer: I want to try a few Suffolk this year and see what I
can do with mutton 'production.

28
102 HORTICULTURE AND LIVESTOCK
1 st Farmer: Well, chops are good, but I'm thinking of trying the
Merino.
2nd Farmer: From what I've heard about it, the Merino is a
good wool producer.
1 st Farmer: Yes. The Merino fleece may weigh 15 or 20
2nd Farmer: pounds. That's a Iot more than the Dorset.
1st Farmer: I hear my ewes bleating. I'd better get back to the
barn. I'll see you later.
2nd Farmer: So long.

B. Terminology Practice

barn: a building on a farm used for feed storage and shelter for
animals
I'd better get back to the barn.
We'll try to get the sheep in the barn befare the
storm. There wasn't enough room in the barn for all
the feed.
bleat: the sound sheep make
I hear my ewes bleating.
We could hear the sheep
bleating. The lambs began to
bleat.
chop: a cut of mutton
Well, chops are good, but l'm thinking of trying the Merino.
Sorne lamb chops would taste good now.
Chops from the Merino are not very good.
Dorset: a breed of sheep
The Dorset is known for its Iecundity.
We'll probably get a flock of Dorsets.
The Dorset is a popular breed in Arnerica.
ewe: an adult female sheep
Have your ewes started lambing yet?
Twins carne this morning to one ewe.
I'd better get back to the ewes.

Dorset

29
 - SHEEP 103.

fecundity: quality of being able to reproduce regularly

The Dorset is known for its fecundity.
No one knows what its fecundity is.
Sorne ewes are not very fecund.
fleece: coat of wool on sheep
I hope their fleeces do better this year than
last. This .fleece is not very heavy.
The .fleece of this sheep is very oily.
flock: group of sheep
My flock seems slower than yours.
Most of my flock has lambed.
He has a very large flock.
lamb: v_., to produce young; n., a young sheep of either sex
Have your ewes started to lamb yet?
Four or five others have lambed.
Most ewes seem to lamb in the middle of the night.
Merino: a breed of sheep
Well, chops are good, but I'm thinking of trying the
Merino. The Merino is a good wool producer.
The 'rnutton from the Merino is not of the best quality.
mutton: the meat of a sheep
I want to try a few Suffolk rams this year and see what I can
do with mutton production.
This mutton is not very good.
Sorne people don't like to eat mutton.
ram: a male sheep
I'm going to get a new ram.
Many rams have horns.
I'm looking Ior a good Merino ram.
Suffolk: a breed of sheep
I want to try a few Suffolk this year.
Toe Suffolk is a good mutton sheep.
He has a large · flock of Suffolk.

Suffolk

30
 l 04 HORTICULTURE AND LIVESTOCK

twins: two animals born at the same

time Twins carne this moming to
one ewe. Many ewes produce
twins.
One of the twins died.
wether: a castrated adult. male sheep
My wool production per we~her was low,
too. This wether is ready for the market. ·
A fat wether is excellent for meat purposes.
wool: the hair that covers sheep, making its fleece
My wool production was low, too.
Toe Merino is a good wool
producer.
The Dorset is not a heavy wool producer.

C .. Check-Up

Fill in the blanks with the proper terms from the list.
fleece twins
Merino ewe
bleatin lambin
g ram g barn
l. A is a male
sheep.
2. is a breed of
sheep.

3. A building used to shelter animals is called a _

4. A is a female sheep.
5. Toe call of a sheep is its _
6. Toe season of is the time when the females
reproduce their young.
7. Two lambs born at the same time are called _
.8. is the covering of a sheep,

31
 LESSON.

7- Goats

A. Reading

In sorne parts of the world goats are used as beasts of burden

to pull small carts. In most places, though, they are raised for their
meat, milk, skin, or hair, Toe skin of a kid makes very fine leather.
Milch goats are important dairy animals in sorne parts of
Europe. Their milk is higher in albumin than cows' milk and for
this reason is sometimes used for feeding children with digestive
trouble.
One of the leading milk breeds is the Maltese. The Toggenburg
and Saanen are most numerous in Switzerland and surrounding
countries. The.Nubian is primarily.found in North and South Africa.
In sorne European countries a family with two milking does· can
· -

32
1.

106 HORTICULTURE AND

LIVESTOCK

obtain their milk supply the year around. The gestation period is five
months and the period of lactation is six months; if one doe has her
kid in the spring and the other in the Iall, the milk supply is assured
the vear around.
Does often have two kids and sometimes three. They usually
produce
five to six quarts of milk a day. The udder of the milch doe is relatively
large and the two teats are also large for the size of the animal.
The Angora is a popular breed of goat produced primarily for its
fleece. Both the does and bucks have horns. They have long hair which
hangs in small curls and often grows ten inches per year. The goat must
be clipped in the spring because it will shed its fleece each year.
The wool beneath the hair of sorne goats is known as mohair and
is used in weaving cloth of the sarne name. Cashmere is a type of
cloth made from the very soft wool found underncaih the hair covering of
cer• tain breeds of goats. The Angora goat is useful in clearing areas
of brush because they eat enough of the tender branches to kill the
plants.

B. Terminology Practice
albumin: a nutrient occurring in goats' milk and other foods
Its milk is higher in albumin than cow's milk.
Albumin is in both plant and animal foods.
How rnuch albumin is in it?
Angora: a breed of goat
The Angora goat is a popular breed of .goat produced
primarily for its fleece.
The Angora is useful in clearing areas.
The wool of the Angora is used in cloth.

Angora

33
 GOATS 107

brush: in this sense, a dense growth of undesired

plants The Angora goat is useful in clearing areas of
brush. The goats cleared out the brush.
Brush grew in the field because it wasn't cultivated.
buck: male goat
Both the does and bucks have horns.
Sorne Angora bucks get rather large.
Do you want to sell a buck?
Cashmere: a kind of cloth
Cashmere is a kind of cloth rnade frorn the wool undemeath
the hair of sorne goats.
Cashmere is usuall y rather expensive.
Where can you buy sorne cashmere?
clip: remove hair by cutting .
The goat must be clipped in the
spring. It took two of us to clip ali the
goats.
It isn't time to clip thern now ..
curl: hair that grows in circles orina circular shape
They bave long hair which hangs in small curls.
We clipped the curls.
This goat doesn't have so many curls,
digestive: relating to the use of food in the body
Goats milk is sometimes used for feeding children with digestive
problems.
We are giving our children vegetables to improve their digestion.
Do you understand the cow's digestive system? ·
doe: female goat
A family with two <loes can obtain their milk suppiy the year
around.
The gestation period of the doe is five
months. Our does have wandered ,a way.
kid: a young goat .
The skin of a kid makes very fine leather.
Goats frequently have two kids at a time.
Watch the kids play!
leather: the skin of animals after it is treated for use in various ways
Toe skin of a kid makes very fine leather.
Toe skins of cattle are the largest source of
leather. Leather is used to make shoes.

34
 ..
,
-

Nublan

Maltese: a breed of goat

One of the leading milk breeds is the Maltese.
The Maltese goat is an important supply of milk on the island of
Malta.
I want to get sorne Maltese goats.
milch: said of an animal that produces milk
Milch goats are important dairy animals in sorne parts of
Europe. The Guernsey is a milch cow.
The Jones farnily is trying to buy a milch goat.
mohair: the wool beneath the hair of a goat and the cloth made from it
The hair of the goat is known as
mohair. Mohair can be expensive
cloth.
The Angora produces mohair.
Nubian: a breed of goat ·
The Nubian is prirnarily found in North and South
Africa. Nubians are large goats with short hair.
Nubians have been in England since about 1850.

Saanen Toggenburg

35
 _ ... GOAT S 109 · _

Saanen: a breed of goat

The Toggenburg and Saanen are most numerous in
Switzerland. The Saanen is a heavy producer of milk .
. _. S01!.1~ Saanen goats have_ had a year of
lactation.
shed. to losé hair when if falls outnaturally, -- ·- - -- -
The goat must be clipped in the spring because it will shed
its
fíeece each
year.
Sorne animals do not shed very
much. Have your goats started to
shed yet?
T oggenburg: a breed of goat
The Toggenburg and Saanen are most numerous in
Switzerland. The Toggenburg is one of the oldest breeds.
Another good milk producer is the Toggenburg.

C. Check-Up

1. What is the name for the adult female goat?

2. N ame two. breeds of goats.
3. Why do sorne families have two goats?
4. What is the gestation period of the goat?

36
 LESSON
¡;
11
'1
8 Poultry
,!
A. Dialogue
1
'1
1;
Farmer I want you to go to the hatchery todáy to pick up
11
sorne chicks.
,,
¡, Helper: · How many are we getting?
i'
l:
i
Farmer: A thousand. They'll be sexed White Leghorns. Y ou
ii
'1 might look at sorne brooders on the wa y.
Helper: All right. We do need a new one. Have you
¡ ¡
i noticed the broilers? They're ab_out ready to market.
1 • 1

·1 ··- Farmer: Yes. They're about ready·. I hope these do better

\ 1 . than the layers we have now.
! 1

1:

37
 POULTRY 111
Helper: There's something wrong with those birds. Their combs aren't
very red. Their beaks don't look right to me, either.
Farmer It may be that new ration we're using. The egg production
: is low; those hens should be doing better. The vents are
large enough.
Maybe the new chicks will do better.
-I hope so._ They've only been out of the incubator a few
Helper:
days.
Farmer
We'll have a good look at these fowls when they're pullets.
:
By the time they get to the trap-nests we'll know pretty well
which ones are good.
Helper:
I hope their eggs grade better; it'll be good to see bright yel•
low yolks again. If tbese aren't good layers I'II be ready to
give up chickens and go to turkeys!
Farmer:

B. Terminology. Practice

beak: the hard moutb of a bird

Their beaks don't look right to me, either.
Older hens have lighter beaks.
This hen's beak looks good.
birds: poultry
There's something w~ong with those birds.
Twenty thousand birds were sold
yesterday. Mr. J ónes sold ali of his birds.
broiler: young chicken raised far its meat
· Hav·e you noticed the broilers?
Broilers may be of either sex.
Hybrids are often used for broilers.
brooder: device used to raise chicks
You might Iook at sorne brooders on the way.
Brooders have replaced hens to keep chicks
warrn. Brooders are kept at a uniform
temperature.
chicken: a type of poultry
If the_se aren't good layers I'll be ready to give up
chickens. Chickens are the most popular poultry in
America.
Chicken raising is a large p3.r~, of American farming.

38
·· 112 .. HÚRTiCULTURE AND LlVESTOCK

chick: very young chicken

I want you to go to the hatchery today to pickup sorne chicks.
l hope these chicks do better than the last ones.
. Maybe the new chicks will do better.. . . - • .. •·-· - . -- .
comb: a soft red growth on the top of the heads of chickens
The combs aren't very red.
Y ou can tell how old a chicken is by its comb.
A young hen should have a bright comb.
egg: the oval reproductive body with a hard shell produced by hens
that can be used as food
The egg production is low.
These eggs have poor yolks.
Eggs used as food have usually not been fertilized by the male.
fowl: a domesticated bird raised for .meat and eggs
We'll have a good look at these fowls while they're pullets.
This fowl doesn't seem healthy.
The feathers of this fowl are very fine.
grade: in this sense, classify according to size, shape, and color of shell
I hope their eggs grade better.
We don't have anyone to grade the eggs.
Not rnany people can quickly grade eggs.
hatchery: a place where eggs are incubated until they batch
I want you to go to the hatchery today. ·
Sorne hatcheries incubate as rnany as 1,000,000 eggs at one time.
Have you seen the new hatchery?
hen: fully grown íemale chicken or turkey
Those hens should be doing better.
We are building a new hen house.
These hens aren't producing enough.
incubator: a device for causing fertilized eggs to produce chicks
They've only been in the incubator a few days.

White Leghorn Turkey

39
 POULTRY 113
Sorne incubators will handle only chicken
eggs. This incubator isn't warm enough.
layer: hen raised to produce eggs for food
I hope thesechicks do better than the layers we
havenow. Layers are usually kept in a small area.
White Leghorns are popular layers.
poultry: domesticated birds
Poultry are raised for eggs and
meat. Our poultry are very
profitable.
We have a poultry farm.
pullet: young female chicken
We'll have a good look at them while they're
pullets. Ali of our pullets are White Leghorns.
How are pullets doing at the market?
ration: feed given to animals
It may be ·that new ration we're using.
I want to change their ration.
We don't use the same ration for the broilers.
sex: in this sense, selecting the females from the males
They'H be sexed White Leghorns. .
I can't find anyone who can sex my
chicks. After _they are sexed, we'll kill
the males.
trap-nest: a type of cage used for layers (hens)
By the time they get to the trap-nests, we'll know which
ones are good.
Trap-nests reduce the number of broken
eggs. l'm going to get 500 trap-nests,
turkey: a type of poultry
l'11 be ready to give up chickens and raise turkeys!
Turkeys need less protection from the weather than chickens.
New breeds of turkeys have been developed which produce
more meat.
vent: the opening in the ben through which the egg passes
The vents are large enough.
White Leghoms have relatively large
vents. These hens have small vents.
White Leghorn: a breed of
chicken They'll be sexed White
Leghorns. White Leghorns have
red combs.
The eggs-pro<luced by White Leghorns are white.

40
 114 HORTI CULT' URE. ANO LI VESTOCK

yolk: colored portion inside the egg; embryo or undeveloped young

It'll be good to see bright yellow yolks
again. Sometimes eggs have double
yolks.
The color of the yolk tells something about the egg's quality.

C. Check-Up

1. What is the difference between broilers and layers?

· 2. What is the difference between a brooder and a hatchery?
3. Name two types of poultry.
4. What is the difference between a chicken and a chick?

41
 LESSON

9 Veterinary Medicine

A. Dialogue -

Farmer: Now that you have looked at my horse, won't you

come in the house for a cup of coffee?
Veterinarian: Thank you. I would love one.

* *
Farmer: 1 think your work as a veterinarian must be
interesting.
Veterinarian: It is, but many people don't realize how much
we vets have to do with their health. I know of
at least 200
communicated diseases of animals. That affects
man's food supply.
Farmer: Two hundred diseases certainly would!

115

42
116 HORTICULTURE AND LIVESTOCK

Veterinarian: But more directly than that, I know of at least 80 dis•

eases that can be communicable from animals to us. 'Ne
call them zoonoses.
Farmer: It seems that man's animals are not always his friends.
Veterinarian: They aren't in matters of disease. Man is infected by
many diseases from his dogs, cats, cattle, horses, and
birds. So the work of the veterinarian is not just that of
making anima]s feel better ; it's more a matter of rnaking
people live longer.
Farmer: I can see that now. Can you tell me some more?
Veterinarian: Well, it isn't something you can cover in a few minutes.
But there ·are severa! general areas of animal disease.
Bacteria, protozoa, and viruses are transmitted from ani•
mal to animal, from animal to man, and from man to
man.
Farmer: And there may be sorne transmitted from man to animal.
Veterinarian: I'm sure there are. Maybe you can tell me how these
diseases can be transmitted.
Farmer: Well, I can think of bites of an animal to another animal
or man. And I believe insects carry disease, too.
Veterinarian: That's right. An insect can carry a disease from the
blood of an animal it has been feeding on to another.
Either the wound it makes with its bite becomes infected
or the blood carries the disease to sorne or all of the
rest of the body.
Farmer: And others enter the body through the mouth in food
and water.
Veterinarian: True. Sanitation is necessary to prevent this. We know
how important it is to wash our hands, but we don't often
think of the sanitation of our animals.
Farmer: Well, we've learned a lot in the last twenty years or so.
I'm sure we could be more concerned about it, though.
Veterinarian: I think so, too. But how are animal diseases transmitted
between themselves?
Farmer: I suppose sanitation has a lot to do with that, and insects,
too. Then ticks and lice carry diseases, I'm sure.
Veterinarian: They do; we call them rickettsial diseases. Diseases are
also transmitted in the excrement. Worms are an ex•
ample. And certain diseases can be carried even by
copulation. The list is almost endless. I have a book in

43
,,

VETERINARY MEDICINE
'l-17

my bag which gives a very small number of the

diseases animals can contract.
Farmer: I would love to read it.
Veterinarian: Well, I must be going. Thank you very much for the
coffee. ·
Farmer: Thank you very much for the information.
Veterinarian: Goodbye.
Farmer: Goodbye.

B. Terminology Practice

See Appendix 2, common diseases of livestock and poultry, for

more terms.
bite: • injury caused when one animal attacks another animal with
its mouth
· Well, I can think of bites by an animal to another animal or man.
Bites of sorne insects introduce diseases.
A dog bite can be very dangerous.
blood: the liquid which circulates through the bodies of men
and higher anirnals which carries food and waste
,
An insect can carry a disease from the blood of an animal it
has
been feeding on to
another.
The blood in man and the animals he uses is usually
red. The horse had lost too much blood to live.
cominunicable disease: disease which may be transmitted from
one person or animal to another
I know of at least 200 communicable diseases of animals.
Some communicable diseases are transmitted from one animal to
another by a third animal or carrier, which does not get the
disease.
I know of at least 80 diseases that can be cornmunicable from
animals to us.
contract: in this sense, to get a disease
I have a little list in my bag which gives a very small number of
the diseases animals can contract.

44
 118 HORTICULTURE AND LIVESTOCK

Most of our cattle contracted a disease the veterinarian

can't identify.
None of my horses have contracted that disease.
copulation: act of joining of male and female to begin reproduction
And certain diseases can even be carried by copulation.
If copulation can be prevented, we won't have so many
insects. The disease was transmitted by copulation.
excrement: waste matter from the boclies of anima1s
Diseases are also transmitted by excremenL
The eggs of worms are often found in excrement.
The excrement of chickens should be removed
daily.
lice: (sing. louse) small insects or insect-like animals which Iive
by feeding on other animals or plants
Then ticks and lice carry diseases, l'm sure.
We found that our chickens were covered with lice.
Once the lice were killed, we had no more trouble with the disease.
protozoo: very small animals which cause certain
diseases Protozoa are transmitted from one animal to
another. Sorne diseases are caused by protozoa.
Protozoa cannot be seen with the eye alone.
rkkettsial: said of diseases caused by ticks and lice
We call them rickettsial diseases.
Rickettsial diseases are usually very dangerous to
animals. Man can contact certain rickettsial diseases.
sanitotion: the practice of acts which eliminate disease
Sanitation is necessary to prevent this.
I suppose sanitation has a lot to do with the amount of disease.
If we were more sanitary, the animals wouldn't get diseases.
tick: insect-like animals which attach themselves to man and other ani•
mals to feed on their blood
Then ticks and lice carry diseases, l'm
sure. Sheep are often diseased by ticks.
Very dangerous diseases are carried to man by ticks.
tronsmit: carry from one to another
Bacteria, protozoa, and viruses are transmitted from animal to ani•
mal.
Maybe you can tell how these diseases are
transmitted. Others would be transmitted by mouth.

45
 VE TERJ-NARY MEDICINE
119

vet: an abbreviated form of the word veterinarian

I think your work as a veterinarian must be
interesting.
Many people don't realize how much we vets have to do with
their health.
The ·work of thé veterinarian 'ís not just that oí making the animal':
·
feel better.
veterinarion: one who treats the diseases of animals
worm: in this case, a soft bodied animal which lives in the body
of
another animal
Worms are an example.
Toe blood of the cattle was full of a kind of worm.
Sorne worms' eggs are carried to the mouth of a horse by the
food it eats.
wound: an injury
The wound rnade with its bite becomes
infected. Toe horse had several wounds from
the accident. I want the vet to see the wounds.
zoonoses: diseases of man transmitted to him from anirna]s
_W e call them zoonoses.
· Animal sanitation will reduce
zoonoses.
Sorne zoonoses are transmitted by animal
bites.

C. Check-Up

Answer true or false:

1. A veterinarian is a disease.
2. Animals are not affected by sanitation.
3. Toe diseases which infect animals may sometimes infect man.
4. Insects are an important vector of disease.
5. Excrement is the waste matter of animals.
6. Transmitted means to carry from one to the other.
7. Zoonoses are types of animal diseases which can be given
only to other animals.

46
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-,·
.· •. l SBN 0-02-97. 36-.40-4 :· - -
' '' . . '· .. - . ~(

48