SECRETARY'S REPORT. 39 



My guide for selecting breeding cattle is health and good 

 development. The best mode of feeding cattle in winter is to 

 give them hay and roots ; in summer good pasture. 



To feed cows for the greatest profit, I would give them good 

 pasture in summer, and hay and roots in winter. 



I have no rule for selecting cattle for the dairy. 



In selecting for the stall I prefer Devons and grade Devons, 

 and chose those of healthy appearance. 



My experience in feeding cattle, taking cost of keeping into 

 account, is, that Devons and grades of that breed give the 

 greatest returns. Cows should go dry, on an average, two and 

 one-half months before calving. Maturity of breeding animals 

 is essential. Should judge that poor keeping would have a bad 

 effect upon cattle, if continued for a long time. 



Two prominent farmers residing in the same town, situate in 

 the south-west corner of Worcester County, substantially agree 

 in their answers. One of them replies that the prevailing breed 

 of cattle in the town is native mixed with Devons. The breed 

 best adapted to his section, for the purposes of beef, milk, and 

 work, is the Devon crossed with Durhams. The Durhams 

 make the most beef, but the Devons fatten more easily. 



The Devons crossed with the natives are sought after for 

 milk, but the native cattle are preferable for work. 



If heifers are well fed they may come in at two years old ; if 

 not, three is a better age. 



If bulls are to be kept until old, they should not be put to 

 service before three years of age. 



A calf will thrive much the best if allowed to suck the cow ; 

 but this is expensive, and I take them from the cows at three 

 or four days old, and teach them to drink by nailing a teat of 

 thick sole leather to the bottom of the trough, feeding them 

 with new milk night and morning and skimmed milk at noon, 

 until four weeks old, when I take them generally from the 

 new milk and allow them skimmed milk with a little rye meal, 

 until five months old, when I wean and turn to grass. In 

 winter I feed on sweet hay and oats. 



I have no special rule for selecting breeding cattle. I judge 

 by their forms, and am partial to bright eyes. 



I feed my cattle in winter regularly three times a day on hay, 

 and occasionally for change, I give them corn fodder, or oat 



