NORTH SOMERSET SOCIETY. 



This is one of the most recently formed of our Agricultural Soci- 

 eties, having been incorporated in 1856. From the statements 

 which were returned, it would appear that the larger part of the 

 neat stock vrere grade Durhams; in fact, 710 others are alluded to 

 in any statements received. These, by some, are preferred for beef 

 and for docility ; by others they are stated to be hardier and better 

 adapted to our climate than others ; but these latter do not say bet- 

 ter than wliat others, and it is not easy to determine what their 

 standard of comparison is for admitting the excellence of the Dur- 

 hams, (or, more properly. Short Horns,) for docility and for early 

 maturity in a climate and with treatment adapted to them, the 

 almost universal testimony of all in our State, who have proved other 

 breeds, goes to show that Devons, Herefords, Ayrshires, and some 

 others, are hardier, better adapted to our rigorous winters and more 

 easily and cheaply kept than Durhams, and thus, on the whole, 

 decidedly preferable, while at the same time it is equally true that 

 a cross of the Short Horn upon our native stock gives a decided 

 advance in many respects. 



From the statements on crops we gather the following : 



J. S. Mclntire raised two hundred and seventeen bushels of "long 

 red peach blow" potatoes, on one acre of light loam about two feet 

 in depth. Land was in grass the previous year. Plowed ten inches 

 deep, and applied fifteen loads of green manure, worth $1 per load. 

 Used fourteen bushels of seed per acre. 



John Grey of Embden, raised one hundred and fifty bushels of 

 potatoes on one acre of light sandy land. 



J. L. Mclntire raised fifty-eight bushels of oats on one acre of 

 light sandy loam. Plowed ten inches deep ; and seven bushels of 

 seed used per acre. Also, eleven bushels of peas on half an acre. 



