38 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



A distinguished farmer, residing in the north-east part of 

 Worcester County, informs us that the cattle in his district of 

 country are mostly of mixed and native breeds. The breeds 

 best adapted to that part of the State for beef, milk and work, 

 are the Durham and native. The Durhams, he writes, arc best 

 for beef, and the Durhams and Ayrshires are preferred for milk. 

 Devons are the favorites for work. 



Two years is the proper age for heifers to come in. 



Bulls may be put to service at eighteen months old. 



Calves should be allowed to run with a cow the first six 

 months, and the remaining portion of the year should have for 

 feed one quart of cob meal, or one quart of oats daily, and 

 plenty of good hay. 



Has no rule for selecting breeding cattle, and his mode of 

 feeding cattle in winter is to feed five times a day, which he 

 thinks the best. The feed should be good hay, and the cattle 

 be housed in warm stables. 



The best feed in summer is good pastures, t If pastures fail, 

 feed green clover, green oats, and green corn. I obtain the 

 greatest profit in summer by feeding cows on good pasture ; in 

 winter, on plenty of good hay, with the addition of four quarts 

 of Indian meal daily. I have no reliable rule for selecting 

 cattle for the stall, or cows for the dairy. Have never tried 

 experiments in feeding. Cows should go dry two or three 

 months before calving. I cannot say whether maturity in 

 breeding animals is essential or not. Any breed of cattle will 

 deteriorate on poor keeping. 



A large dairy farmer residing in a town near the middle of 

 the west line of Worcester County, informs us that in his 

 neighborhood the cattle are mostly grade Durhams, though 

 there are some Devons and grade Devons. The best cattle, all 

 things considered, are the Devon and their grades. For beef 

 alone they are preferable, and for work better than any other 

 breeds. Taking into account the cost of keeping, they yield 

 the largest profit in the dairy. 



The best age for heifers to come in is three years. Bulls may 

 be put to service at two years of age. 



Calves should suck ten weeks, then be weaned and turned 

 upon a good pasture. The following winter their feed should 

 be good hay and roots. 



