No. 63.] 21 



It will not fail to be noticed that all the foregoing premiums are 

 given to animals of the valuable breed known as " Durham Short 

 Horns," against which kind there was on this occasion no other breed 

 shown in competition, except Herefords, of which there was a beau- 

 tiful and very creditable exhibition, consisting of a portion of the herd 

 of Messrs. Corning & Sotham, some individuals of which, this com- 

 mittee would highly commend, especially as being good specimens 

 of that important quajity, good handling, always essential to excel- 

 lence. 



Your committee, (of which a portion, if not a majority, is com- 

 posed of what might be called " Short Horn men," either by pre- 

 ference or interest as Short Horn breeders,) from motives of delica- 

 cy^ not to say generosity^ did not deem themselves called on to decide 

 between these two rival breeds, and against the Herefords, which 

 would have been for the most part, and in effect, their decision, if 

 made on this occasion. 



In England, the home of both breeds, where beef is i\\e first and 

 almost the governing consideration, the Here fords as a breed, it is 

 well known, have long maintained a sharp and ofte7i successful compe- 

 tition with the Short Horns, for feeding purposes, especially as a graz- 

 ing stock; while it is claimed, and now generally conceded by well 

 informed dispassionate persons in England, that the well bred Short 

 Horns have the merit of earlier maturity, and are also entitled to the 

 preference for stall feeding, and more especially and decidedly so for 

 dairy purposes, in which the Short Horns and their crosses ?ire believ- 

 ed to excel all other breeds, and that the pure bred males of this breed 

 are capable of improving all other breeds of cattle; certainly a most 

 important consideration, and especially so in this and all the north- 

 ern portion of the United States. 



It is understood that the Herefords have not yet been sufficiently 

 tried in this country as milkers, in the absence of which, there seems 

 to prevail at present an unfavorable impression of them as dairy stock, 

 which impression it is to be hoped may soon be done away, if, as their 

 friends claim, the Herefords are really a superior milking breed. 

 Some of their crosses with native stock, now existing in Massachu- 

 setts, descended from an importation of Herefords made many years 

 since, by Admiral Coffin, are understood to have proved excellent 

 milkers. 



It is besides claimed for the Herefords, that they will make good 

 working cattle, being strong and active, which is not doubted. It is 

 also conceded that the qualify of the Hereford beef is excellent. 

 Therefore, taking no more than a fair view of their case, the Here- 

 fords must, in all probability, prove a highly valuable stock in those 

 portions of this country where the grazing of cattle for beef is a pri- 

 mary object. 



Under these circumstances, your committee would ask in behalf of 

 the newly imported Herefords, ajTair chance, — and that they be al- 

 lowed, after coming from on ship board, to get well upon their feet, 

 before they " enter the lists" against the now well established Short 

 Horns. If the Herefords are cherished and encouraged for a time, it 



