152 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



ford breeds have been tried and various opinions exist as to ntilit)'. 

 Dairies suffer and oxen flourish with Durhams, though good cows 

 come from them. The Hercfords arc good milkers, and both fatten 

 well. Aryshire are not despised. Merino and Saxon sheep crossed, 

 are most kept, other kinds occasionally. Dishlcys are good for some 

 purposes. Sheep are worth from $1,.>0 to $3,50 per head. 



Pork could be grown to considerable extent at the prices it has been 

 for sometime, but not at the low rates. Many think six cents wdll 

 pay, others ten. The best hogs have been made from whites and 

 crossed, but there is not half care enough taken to preserve distinc- 

 tions in swine and other stock." 



T-ROSl W. D. DAXA, "WASHINGTON COTJXTY. 



" Attention is being awakened to the importance of improving our 

 stock, and through the efforts of the Agricultural Aid Society, a horse 

 of the Black Hawk and Morgan, and a thorough bred imported 

 Devonshire bull have been secured for the county. Some Ayrshires, a 

 Hereford bull. Merino sheep, and Suffolk and Essex pigs have been 

 procured by private individuals. 



There are different opinions as to the best breeds of sheep ; some 

 preferring the Merino and some the Dishley. Common sheep are worth 

 two to three dollars, fancy sheep, like other animals have yrtnct/ prices. 

 Our markets being good, mutton is more of an object with us than 

 wool. Pork cannot be grown at a profit as a business, wdth any 

 breeds we have heretofore had. What the new breeds may do for us 

 time "will show." 



FEOM S. AV. COBURN, SOMERSET COUXTY. 



" We have some good animals raised here. The Durhams have 

 taken the lead, but other imported breeds have not been brought into 

 competition. 



The different breeds of sheep, such as the Spanish Merino, Dishley, 

 and the South Down raised here, have their respective advocates. 

 The Downs and Dishleys for mutton, are superior to Merinos, the Downs 

 ahead. They are also hardy, but have a light fleece and that not of 

 finest quality. The recent importation of the large French sheep has 

 not yet been fully tried here, though there are some of them in the 

 neighborhood. The common kinds mentioned above, are worth here 

 in the fall, usually about two dollars per head. 



For a few years past the Suffolk breed of swine has been displac- 

 ing the variety of breeds in use before, though they do not give general 

 satisfaction. Many think them too small for profit, some do not like 

 their hungry noise, it gives the liberal feeder such faint praise, even 



