94 MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURE. 



The butter has a wide reputation, and commands in London 

 an extra price. 



" The Shetland heifer is of a dun color, and covered with 

 a thick, soft coat, like fur. This is a very peculiar breed. 

 The color ranges from black to dun in mixtures of black and 

 white and dun and white. They correspond most nearly to 

 the cattle of Norway, and were probably derived from that 

 country when the islands belonged to her, as they did for 

 many years. They are smaller than any of the breeds of the 

 main land of Scotland, or even of those of the Hebrides. 

 Instead of long horns, like them, they have short horns, as 

 short, nearly, as those of the Channel Islands, commonly called 

 Alderneys. They are very hardy, and their beef is the best 

 of any known in the British markets. The cows give a 

 moderate quantity of the richest milk. They are rather larger 

 than the Kernes. The man of whom I purchased Mr. Austin's 

 heifer, brings thousands from the Shetland Islands annually, 

 fattening them upon a large farm near Edinburgh. He told 

 me that the gentry would give more by a penny a pound for 

 the beef of the Shetlands than for any other." 



We have presented this interesting account of these animals 

 with the belief that it is a matter of importance to the breeders 

 of stock in the county, to know what varieties there may be 

 from which to select with most promise of benefit. The pecu- 

 liar characteristics of these breeds may not render them unsuit- 

 able to our climate and soil ; and if their butter and meat are 

 of superior value in the markets of London, they may be not 

 less so in our own. 



We have been made acquainted, in our excursions through 

 the county, with many examples of industry, economy and 

 thrift, which it is fitting to our purpose, and would accord with 

 our inclinations, to present for consideration, especially to the 

 young. Of one of these examples, we are permitted to give 

 the following sketch : — 



"In 1831, I bought a farm of ninety acres, for about one- 

 third of the cost of which I was obliged to run in debt. It had 

 been rented to different individuals for a period of twenty-six 

 successive years, and its condition, therefore, may be easily 



