269 



cattle. The benefit of this cross is beginning to be felt in this neigbborbood. 

 There were several specimens of half-blood heifers exhibited at the State Fair, at 

 Janesville, by Mr. Ferguson, of Fox Lake, from cows of ordinary color, but fair 

 size; giving the most decided evidence of the advantage to be derived from a 

 cross with the Devonshire and native stock. For myself, I should greatly prefer 

 this cross with natives ; yet if that could not be made, I should, without hesi- 

 tation, make use of the Durham ; h^ so doing, 1 should lay the foundation of an 

 excellent cross with the Devonshire, whenever that could be obtained. 



Although I believe the crosses above alluded to, must be relied upon for gene- 

 ral improvement, in consequence of the extreme scarcity of the full-blood, and 

 higher grades of the Durham and Devonshire; yet every observing man will 

 at once discover great merit in both these fine breeds. Each has its particular 

 and distinct traits ; and those who suppose that no improvement can be made by 

 crossing them for the use of the farmer, it seems to me, are mistaken. 



The large and heavy Durharas may well afford some diminution in size, if 

 need be, in exchange for the increased activity, compactness, and splendid color 

 of the Devons. There was exhibited at the State Fair, at Rochester, New York, 

 in 1844, (I believe I am correct in the date,) a pair of fine, red, fat oxen, which 

 were a cross of the Durham and Devonshire, the live weight of one exceeding four 

 thousand by a few pounds, and the other falling but little short of the same 

 weight. This is a greater weight than I have ever known from a full-blood of 

 any kind. This, fact, with other evidence which has come within my knowledge, 

 assures me that the cross can be made without injury, and probably to the 

 advantage of both. This cross, or any other, once made, should by no means 

 be extended so as to amount to the practice of breeding in and in. If this bad 

 practice must be adopted, it had better be confined to the distinct breeds ; and 

 even then it should be avoided as far as possible. But as every farmer cannot be 

 expected to provide himself with the requisite means of producing these crosses, 

 it would seem that the influence of our Society could not be better directed than 

 in the encourao-ement amono- individuals whose taste and circumstances would 

 permit of the propagation of the pure Durham and Devonshire, which I be- 

 lieve form decidedly the best cross, either with each other, or the native stock. 

 This should be extended to every county within the State, where stock is raised 

 to any extent; and would place within the reach of most of our farmers a conve- 

 nient and expeditious means of improvement, from which, at present, most of 

 them are excluded ; and, at the same time, it would be a source of profit to those 

 who would aid in the enterprise. I do not suppose that great progress can be 

 made at once; but would it not be well to direct attention to the subject? The 

 large ranges cattle are permitted upon our uncultivated lands, and our extensive 

 marshes, place us in a position to be the best stock -growing State of this latitude 



