REPORT OF THE PROFESSOR OF AGRICULTURE. 66 



The nieuibers of the Board, after some discussion aniongthemselves, in which 

 all spoke favoi'ably of the proposition, unanimously adopted the following pre- 

 amble and resolutions: 



Whereas, The Michigan Shorthorn Breeders' Association, through its Pi-esident, has 

 vohinteered to select and furnish two specimens of Shorthorn calves for the piu-pose of 

 testing then- relative feeding quaUties compared with other breeds, therefore, 



Resoh'ed. That tlie Micliigan State Board of Agriculture accept the proposition and 

 respectfully sohcit other associations or owners of other breeds to select two specimen 

 calves of each of the several breeds for the purpose of making a careful test at the 

 Agricultnral College of their relative merits for fattening purposes. Correspondence in 

 relation to the test should be addressed to Prof. Samuel Johnson, Agricultural College, 

 who will furnish information in regard to it. 



Now, let the Hereford, Polled Angus, Galloway and Devon breeders be heard 

 from, and we shall have a test of the merits of each of the great families of 

 thoroughbreds that will demonstrate their high merit and the value of each to 

 the farmer. It will be a liberal education in feeding to have such a test 

 thoroughly made. , 



There is no lack of public spirit among our cattle breeders, many of whom 

 have expressed a desire for such a test; but many feel, and I cannot help sym- 

 pathizing in the feeling, that the State is abundantly able to purchase the stock 

 needed for its experimental work. The members of our State Board feel in 

 this way and I think, as some six months have elapsed since the adoption of the 

 above resolution and no offer of calves has been made, we had best conclude 

 that if we are to have specimens of the breeds to feed we must buy them for 

 that purpose. 



. The outlay required will be as much or more perhaps than the animals will 

 bring after three years' care and feeding; but we must not forget that experi- 

 ments are not remunerative directly in a pecuniary way — only in the lessons 

 gleaned from them and the conclusions they demonstrate. 



I therefore recommend that a portion of the amount appropriated for feeding 

 experiments be expended for animals for this purpose, and that they be secured 

 as soon as possible, at the same tim* holding ourselves in readiness, to accept 

 selections made by any of the Breeders' organizations pursuant to the resolution 

 adopted by the Board of Agriculture; provided the animals in these classes have 

 not been previously secured. 



STOCK. 



Since my last report some very desirable additions have been made to the 

 college herds. In November last, Hon. F. AVells and myself attended the cat- 

 tle sales held during the week of the Fat Stock Show in Chicago. 



From Mr. T. L. Harvey, of Turlington, Nebraska, we purchased Jenny Bald- 

 win, a young Mary, Lady Catherine, a Princess, and imported Red Eose of 

 Derwent, bred by Geo. Fox, Esq., of Staffordshire, and siredby his $12,000 bull, 

 the 34th Duke of Airdrie. These have all dropped strong and vigorous calves 

 since coming to the College farm, sixed by 33d Duke of Airdrie, sold at same 

 sale for $3,300. The following day we bought at the sale of I. Barr & Son, 

 Davenport, Iowa, the two year old Phyllis heifer Meadow Belle, and the im- 

 ported four year old Cruikshank cow Victoria 71st from the celebrated Scotch 

 herd. The heifer dropped a heifer calf in December by the imported Cruik- 

 shank bull, imported Julius Caesar (48,073). The cow did not prove in calf 

 and has been a little shy in breeding, but by change of conditions and reducing 

 the flesh she promises to be of use. She is a fine specimen and we prize her 

 highly. 



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