SECRETARY'S REPORT. 133 



the male is greater than that of the female ; 'while temper, dis- 

 position and nervous development, oftener follow the female 

 tlian the male. Hereditary disease and weakness of constitu- 

 tion are much more likely to be imparted to the progeny by 

 the mother, owing to the long and intimate connection, both 

 before and after birth, up to the time of weaning, as the same 

 blood nourishes both ; hence freedom from disease and sound- 

 ness of constitution should be deemed indispensably requisite 

 in the female. It is well known that the Arabs prize and pre- 

 serve their mares with peculiar care, and can scarcely be 

 induced to part with one of undoubted purity of breed, for 

 any consideration whatever, while they will readily sell a stall- 

 ion for what they deem a handsome equivalent. 



With regard to the comparative value of the various breeds, 

 there is no little diversity of opinion among stock growers, 

 each having its respective admirers and advocates. So far as 

 can be gathered from the replies to the question of the circular 

 on this point, it would seem that the Short Horns or Durharas 

 have been more extensively introduced than any other, and 

 cither because of their intrinsic excellence, or because better 

 known, are generally favorites. Indeed, there can be little 

 doubt, that while others excel in some points, these combine as 

 many good qualities as any other. To say that any breed 

 combines, in good degree, economy of feed, rapidity of growth, 

 capacity for labor, and fair milking qualities, is no faint praise, 

 and th.it the Short Horns possess these, seems generally ad- 

 mitted. As milkers, however, they are not of uniform excel- 

 lence, some breeders having so made their selections as to favor 

 •other points at the expense of milk, and not unfrequently grade 

 cows are found to excel, for milk, those of full blood. They 

 require good feed, care and shelter; receiving which, they are 

 profitable, yielding largely of both milk and flesh, in proportion 

 to the amount of food consumed. 



The Devons, or rather North Devon cattle, are a highly 

 attractive breed, being very symmetrical in form, of a bright 

 2-ed or mahogany color, the horns long and gracefully curved 

 eye full and calm, skin mellow to the touch, hair silky and fine, 

 active and docile for work, easily fattened, more hardy than 

 Ihe Short Horns, and so will thrive better at a scanty manger 



