AGRICULTURAL MEETLNGS. 



Subject for discussion — " What breed or breeds of cattle, are best 

 adapted to the purposes of farmers in the State of New-York ^" 



Mr. SoTHAM said he was an advocate of the Herefords. He be- 

 lieved they would make more flesh with same expense than any 

 breed in the country — that they would carry themselves to market 

 with less loss ; and that their beef would, from its superior quality, 

 command the highest price. In selecting these cattle, he had done 

 so from a conviction that they would prove more generally useful 

 here, than any other breed in England. He had had frequent oppor- 

 tunities of examining all the breeds there, and thought he was ac- 

 quainted with the peculiarities of each. He had been perfectly sat- 

 isfied with the Herefords here ; and he only asked a fair trial for 

 them, to satisfy others. He however considered mere opinions h.s of 

 but little consequence in regard to cattle , he therefore proposed to 

 hare the Herefords tried on their own merits ; and for this purpose 

 was willing to put three steers and three cows, to a trial with the 

 same number owned at this time by one man, of any other breed, 

 under such regulations as impartial individuals should deem proper. 

 He made this public offer for no other purpose than to have a fair 

 comparison made with various breeds. 



Mr. Danforth, of Jefferson county, member of the Assembly, said 

 he began breeding with what is called the native stock. About six- 

 teen years ago, he purchased a Short-horn bull of the late Matthew 

 Bullock, of Albany county. The calves produced from this animal 

 and the old stock, were much improved for dairy purposes — they 

 were also better for fattening. He kept them as he had formerly 

 kept stock. They were more tender in constitution — did not winter 

 so well — were not quite so good for labor — their dispositions were 

 more sluggish ; but on the whole they were more profitable by at 

 least twenty per cent, than the old stock. Some years since, Mr. 

 D. used a Devon bidl in his herd. The cross from him on that of 

 the Short-horn bull, had proved excellent. They are more hardy, 

 require less food, fatten easier, are better for work, and are as good 

 for milk. Their superiority for labor and fattening is quite obvious 

 — for beef, the Devon cross is better at three, than the others are at 

 four years of age. Both Durhams and Devons had improved his na- 

 1;vr^ c;tnr>V : hut bo thought the Devon had benefitted him the most. 



