73 



Ist. I keep fifty cows and heifers — which number I hare kept for two 



years past. 



2d. My cows are mostly of native breed, and about an average of native 

 cows as to size. Their average value is $25. I have a few half Durhams ; 

 but, so far as I have had experience, the Durhams are rather ordinary milkers. 



3d. My mode of selecting cows is, to purchase the best I can find for sale, 

 paying as high as forty dollars for a single cow, if I am satisfied she is a 

 good milker, and not too old. I have raised some cows, and I used frequent- 

 ly to buy heifers ; but I think both bad economy, as a general rule. You 

 must wait too long for heifers to come to maturity. A cow does not yield her 

 full flow of milk till she is at least six years old — and the difference in the 

 profits of a cow from six years old to nine, and of one from three years old 

 to six, will more than pay for a good cow. I know of no rule by which to 

 select cows for milkers : but I have learned by sad experience to rely mainly 

 on my own judgment. There are some general points, however, that may be 

 relied on, such as small head, slim neck, rather light fore-quarters, deep hind- 

 quarters, well spread, good sized teats, and well apart — and, by all means, 

 yellow skin. 



4th. I cannot answer definitely, from the fact that we use what butter, 

 milk, and cream we need in our large family, and only keep an account of 

 sales from our dairy. Our family averages at least twelve, beside transient 

 company, and we consume at least the products of four cows. In 1848 my 

 sales amounted to $1,581 31 — in 1849, to $1,511 08. My cows averaged the 

 third week in June, present, a fraction over T^ fcs. of butter each— the 

 fourth week, ending this day, 8 lbs. each. 



5th. It will take from 8 to 10 quarts of milk to make a pound of butter, 

 and about half the quantity to make a pound of cheese. 



7th. The buttermilk and refuse milk we convey in a spout from the shop 

 and cellar, to a vat in the pig pen. Its value depends much on the price of 

 pork, say $4 00 to each cow, at least enough to pay all the girls' help about 

 the house and dairy. 



8th. I keep my cows at pasture, during the season. I usually give them 

 in the fall, after the full feed becomes short, one half-peck to a peck of pota- 

 toes each, daily — with pumpkins enough to give the milk a good color. 



In this answer of Mr. Stetson there are several matters worthy of special 

 notice. First, the profit and productiveness of a skillfully managed farm, 

 even in the comparatively inhospitable climate of Maine. Secondly, the in- 

 dustry and economy, the practical obser^'ation and strict application which 

 are essential, and when attended to are only essential to certain success. 



7th. Shekp and Wool. — Are large or small sheep more profitable, either 

 for mutton or for their fleeces ? Cost per pound of growing coarse or fine 

 wool. Is wool growing profitable ? 



8th. Hogs. — What are considered the best breeds, and the best methods 

 of putting up pork, and curing bacon and hams — prices of pork and bacon du- 

 ring the present seasoa ? 



