No. 112.] 863 



Dairy. — This business, has not received the attention that its 

 great importance demands, and which would apparently have been 

 suggested by the peculiar adaptedness of the county to the pur- 

 suit, and the high prices of its products. Numerous small dairies 

 exists in the county, yielding, in mauy cases, excellent articles. 

 That of A. B. Mack, of West^ort, embracing about forty cows, is 

 on the largest scale, and affords butter and cheese of the first 

 quality. He makes cheese from the middle of April, to the mid- 

 dle of October. The smaller dairies devote about four months to 

 that purpose. Butter, in most of them, is the prominent object, 

 and always commands a certain market. The usual price of cheese 

 in the county, is about 7| cents, and the average of butter, about 

 15 cents. Nothing peculiar occurs in the manufacture of these 

 articles. Native cattle, form a large proportion of the dairies. 

 Various modes of keeping cattle through the winter prevails, but 

 an increasing regard to their comfort and protection is generally 

 apparent. The notes of a very competent judge, and successful' 

 manager, contains the following statement : " I have sometimes 

 kept an entire stock of cattle, upon straw and coarse fodder, with- 

 out a pound of hay, by giving them regularly, about a peck of 

 potatoes each per day. My cows, under this treatment, invaria- 

 bly, come out in the spring in as good condition, as when I feed 

 them hay." * 



Calvos are raised to some extent throughout the county, but no 

 unusual feature in their management is observed. The great im- 

 portance of the dairy products, and the value of milk in pork 

 making, limits the rearing of calves. Large numberi of cattle are 

 yearly sold for the eastern and southern shambles. Tliis dispo- 

 sition of neat cattle, is considered more profitable and judicious, 

 than slaughtering them fur home consumption. Pork, among the 

 laboring classes, in this region, being much more esteemed than 

 salted beef, as an article of food. Twenty-five dollars is the 

 average value of neat cattle, at three years old. 



HUSBANDRY. 



The last t]:rce years, have been distinguished by a more 

 decided progress in the agricultural interests and character 



• J. G. Livingston. 



