294 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



disinterested, proves true generally, these Dutch cattle will pay 

 good returns for an adequate supply of food, especially the grades. 

 The animals of this breed shown at the N. E. Fair in September 

 at Portland, by Mr. Chenery, attracted much attention, and we 

 are gratified in being able, through his courtesy, to present our 

 readers with portraits of several of them, together with a letter 

 from our well known fellow citizen, Hon. T. S. Lang, a pound of 

 experience being worth more than tons of speculation. 



North Vassalboko', Me., Dec. 23, 1868. 

 W. "W. Chenert, Esq. : 



Dear Sir,— I must claim your indulgence for not returning an early ans-n^er 

 to your inquiries concerning my oi)inion of the Holstein cattle. ("As I see 



em.") 



I well know you need no endorsement of mine to convince you of the value 

 of this stock to the breeding interests of tliis country. 



When I last saw you, before leaving for Europe, in 1866, I was unwilling to 

 give an opinion formed upon so slight acquaintance as I then had with the 

 stock, but observation since my return and while abroad, makes me feel cheer- 

 ful to encourage you all I can in the introduction of this breed of cattle. And 

 I feel stronger in this course as, from time to time, I am in receipt of letters 

 from different parts of this State where the half-breed animals from the Dutch 

 bull which I had are located. 



Representative animals of this stock are much sought after in this vicinity, 

 which may seem strange, as I am located within six miles of the Shorthorn 

 headquarters, (if judged ly awards of premiums at State Shows.) 



It may not be out of place to remark that when I purchased the Dutch stock, 

 with a view of testing them, it was the subject of much pleasantry on the part 

 of some of my neighbors who were breeders, and one prominent breeder of 

 "Shorthorns" said to me, at Springfield, when he heard what I paid "Mr. 

 Chenery " for them, that I ought to have a guardian if I intended to carry 

 such animals to Maine. 



Yet, in spite of those forejudged conclusions, the stock steadily gained 

 ground as it developed itself. Eor I did not offer it for sale or advertise the 

 services of the bull, or in any way call tlie attention of breeders to it through 

 the public papers, -washing to see it myself before presuming to decide upon 

 their merits. My regret now is that while in low liealtli, I sold the finest bull 

 that ever came to Maine. I, however, satisfy myself tliat in due time I shall 

 be again in health, to commence breeding, when I shall certainly buy Dutch 

 stock. 



I feel sure that I wish to speak guardedly upon a subject of this kind, and I 

 have endeavored to compare this stock with others with which I have been more 

 or less acquainted. 



My fatlier, J. D. Lang, more than twenty years ago, while I lived at home, 

 commenced breeding Shorthorns of the Greene stock of Albany, keeping some- 

 times forty head. This stock was unfortunate, on account of a constitutional 



