TRANSACTIONS. 159 



our county fairs to countenance or allow in any trial of 

 horses a faster rate than a mile in four minutes, the trial 

 to be made singly or in pairs harnessed together. And 

 any horse driven at a faster rate shall be ruled out in all 

 premiums. 



The question proposed for discussion being the merits 

 of the different breeds of cattle for milk, butter and cheese, 

 for the butcher and for working oxen, was taken up and 

 considered. The secretary being called upon, opened the 

 discussion by remarks relative to the origin and history of 

 the various varieties and breeds of cattle now grown in 

 this section ; the comparative merits of the different breeds 

 for fattening purposes and for general use and profit. — 

 Considered, for all purposes, across of the Devon bull with 

 the Durham cow, one of the most desirable and profitable 

 crosses that can be made with stock ; thereby obtaining a 

 good size, combined with the beauty of color, fineness of 

 bones and muscle, hardness of constitution, and perfect 

 symmetry of form and shape of the North Devon. 



B. F. Cutter, Esq., of Pelham, said he had become satis- 

 fied that we must raise more stock unless we want to pay 

 higher prices than is now demanded, which he thought 

 would be needless; had seen some excellent stock in 

 northern Vermont recently; heard of one man in Burke, 

 Vt., that had sold five calves of the Devon breed, for $500 ; 

 saw some excellent dairies of cows, resembling the native 

 stock, crossed somewhat witli the Devon and Durham, 

 which were said to be superior for dairy purposes. 



C. Melendy, of Amherst, spoke favorably of the Devon 

 breed, and the clear red cattle ; had practiced raising none 

 but bright red calves; would not Lave white or speckled 

 cat:le about his premises. 



Mr. F. Crosby, of Milford, thought that white or speck- 

 led cattle looked larger than they really were, in propor- 

 tion to cattle of other colors. Preferred small boned, 

 thick made cattle, to the coarser varieties for slaughter. 



