SECRETARY'S REPORT. 155 



two may be profitable. The half blood Hereford bull calves sell all 

 the way from ten to fifty dollars, when from one to four months old. 

 As yet wc have not had sufficient time to test this blood for dairy pur- 

 poses ; but some half blood heifers that came in last spring, appeat 

 well for this purpose, and cannot be purchased for less than fifty dol- 

 lars. No special attentioti is given to the improvement of other 

 stock." 



FROM NATHANIEL HOOPER. 



" Considerable attention has been paid, in Cambridge, within a few 

 years, to raising improved breeds of stock, and we have some very 

 good animals of the Durham and Hereford breeds ; but the Durhams 

 are the most esteemed. In the improvement of sheep, nothing has 

 been done. The Suffolk breed of swine are generally the most 

 esteemed among us. Many of our best farmers raise pork for market, 

 which they think, at present prices, can be raiiaed at a good profit." 



FKOM ^v. H. rOWERS. 



" The Durham cattle have been introduced Into the town of Bridg- 

 ton in a few instances. There is a difference of opinion as to their 

 merits. Suffolk swine have also been introduced. In a few cases, and 

 thus far promise well. We have a mixture of about all the breeds of 

 sheep that at different times have been in the country ; but no distinc* 

 breeds are bred here, that I am aware of. Sheep are Worth from two 

 to four dollars per head. We have no particular breed of .swine that 

 is pure blood, except, j^^rhaps, the Suffolk ; but they are a mixture of 

 Berkshire and Suffolk, with a sprinkling of the " Landpike," and some 

 other breeds. Pork cannot be grown at a profit, further than sufHcient 

 to consume the refuse and unsaleable products of the farm." 



. FROM S. F. PERLEY, NAPLES. 



" Much care is used in selecting the best animals for breed'crs, by some 

 of our farmers ; and a few blood animals have been brought into 

 town ; but for the most part, little thought or attention is given to 

 the subject. We cannot be said to have paid " special attention" to 

 this branch of husbandry. Very few sheep are now kept in town, 

 and those few of ordinary quality." 



FROM E. B. RANDALL. 



" Some attention is paid to raising good oxen in Limington. The 

 Durhams are most esteemed for oxen, and the Devons or native breed.? 

 for dairy purposes. We have no pure blood sheep. We have a good 

 native breed for lambs, which gives us more profit by selling early 

 than by any other mode we have tried. Lambs are worth from two 



