346 MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURE. 



WORCESTER. 



From the Report of. the Co7nmittee. 



Bulls. — An examination of the breeds and pedigrees of the 

 different bulls three years old and over, developed one fact, 

 characteristic of this exhibition and worthy of remark. No bull 

 was entered for premium as a pure native, nor any in which the 

 native blood so called predominated. All were classed either 

 among the Durhams, Devons, Ayrshires, Alderneys, or Here- 

 fords. In each class — except, perhaps, the Hercfords — the full 

 blood animal was present. From this fact these inferences were 

 drawn — that the native stock is fast becoming impregnated with 

 foreign blood ; and, as a distinct breed, it is rapidly running 

 out ; that purity of blood and a good pedigree are the best 

 inheritance that any breeding stock can receive ; that the sire 

 transmits more of his individuality than the dam, hence to 

 insure success in thorough breeding, every thing depends upon 

 the sure transmission of the individual quality of the sire to his 

 progeny. Your committee were governed in a great degree, in 

 awarding the premiums, by the conclusions drawn from these 

 inferences. 



W. F. Wheeler, Chairman. 



From the Report of the Committee. 



Steers. — The committee on steers under three years old, 

 having attended to their duty, ask leave to submit the following 

 report : — 



In breeding cattle for the yoke, it is of the utmost importance 

 to secure a decided breed, that will produce animals of uniform 

 size, color and form. We all know how vexatious it is to I'aise 

 steers year after year, and ride hundreds of miles to get mates 

 for them. The introduction of pure blooded animals from 

 Europe, by liberal importations of the Massachusetts Society for 

 Promoting Agriculture, and public spirited individuals, has les- 

 sened this trouble and expense. The Devons, Hercfords, Dur- 

 hams and Ayrshires, are to be found in almost every town in 

 the State ; and whether full bloods or grades, show strong simi- 



