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passed by any ; they also make a large and stately style of working oxen. Yet 

 for fine and perfect raatching, quick and athletic step, they are not equal to the 

 Devons. These combine, in a remarkable degree, those qualities which render 

 them valuable to the farmer, which may be seen in the broad loin, round 

 body, fine head and limbs, hair of uniform color, with a deep flank and light 

 oft'al — together with the best possible quality for our northern climate, early 

 maturity. 



With regard to the relative merits of the two breeds for milkers, a difference 

 of opinion has always existed, originating not unlikely in the partiality or preju- 

 dice of the breeders of the different races. From the limited opportunity I have 

 had to form an opinion, I believe the Durhams have the advantage in quantity, 

 and the Devons in quality of their milk. But considerable variation will doubt- 

 less be found in different animals, as we find to be the case in the native cattle. 

 In selecting from the different races, such qualities as are best adapted to the use 

 for which they are designed, care should be taken to breed from such animals 

 only as partake largely of these particular traits. Then never suffer them to 

 deteriorate, but carefully feed and house them — keeping them constantly im- 

 proving, not by exti'avagant feeding, but by bestowing such care and attention 

 upon them as shall preserve these qualities in the greatest perfection. 



I am strongly impi-essed with the belief, that a cross of the ditferent breeds of 

 imported stock already in the country, with the best native or common cattle, will 

 produce a race quite as useful to the farmer, either for fattening, working oxen, or 

 for the dairy, as any of the unmixed, imported stock ; the object being the improve- 

 ment and not the substitution of a new race of cattle. I am persuaded that the 

 natives, constituting as they do almost the entire mass of cattle in the country, must 

 be relied on to foi-in the basis for any great or general improvement, and that cross- 

 ing with this class will prove a cheap and easy way of improving the present stock. 

 We have many well formed cattle of the native stock ; but they are seldom found 

 possessed of the size, color, or activity of the improved cattle. And in conse- 

 quence of their diversity of color and horns, we find great difficulty in matching 

 our working oxen. A cross with the Durhams does not prove a remedy in this 

 respect ; but, as far as I have known, a cross of the Devonshire has been attended 

 with different and better results. I believe if I had in view the raisinjr of work- 

 ing oxen by a cross with native cattle, I should prefer the Devonshire. I have 

 for several years been in the use of a full-blood Devon bull with native cows, 

 which were purchased from Southern drovei's, at prices varying from twelve to 

 twenty dollars; taking care to select those of good size, without much regard to 

 color. The result has been most satisfactory, producing cither a fine red, or red 

 and white, located in large masses, and entirely divested of the grizzle and 

 speckled character which pre\ails extensively among the Durhams and nati\'e 



