112 BOARD OF AGRICyLTURE. 



introduced on rollinf^ lands. The ploughing can be done more 

 uniformly and without leaving a dead furrow. 



So great has been the improvement in the plough, for the 

 last quarter of a century, that it would seem as if inventive 

 genius would be exhausted and the plough perfected. Great 

 praise is due to our mechanics for their superior ploughs and 

 other implements of husbandry. 



I was very much pleased with the exhibition of oxen in the 

 drawing and backing of loads. The object was not to see how 

 large a load they could start ; but it was to take a good load, 

 (about two tons,) and walk off actively, showing perfect obedi- 

 ence to their drivers, backing with the same facility as drawing, 

 — this was done by most of the competitors. We should encour- 

 age the training of oxen to perfect obedience, for they are 

 thereby rendered more valuable and useful. 



The exhibition of cattle was large. There were some very 

 superior imported cattle on the ground, of Durhams, Devons, 

 Ayrshires and Jerseys. The largest oxen were the native and 

 cross with Durham. This is considered a good cross, both for 

 service and beef. There were some very handsome oxen — a 

 cross of Devon and Durham. The Devon cattle were not large, 

 but handsome and active. 



The Ayrshire oxen were rather small. I should not think this 

 breed of cattle as well calculated for oxen as for the dairy. 



The Jersey cattle present, consisting of a bull and a few 

 cows, were not a fair specimen of that breed. The Jersey cows 

 are higldy spoken of for milk ; but there is nothing in their 

 appearance that is prepossessing. 



There were thirty-two cows offered for premium. The cross of 

 Durham and native breeds were the most noble looking on the 

 ground, with one or two exceptions. So far as my experience 

 extends, the cross of Durham with the native produces the best 

 cows for milk. The Devon cows were small, but some were 

 very handsome and have good points for milk. 

 • The Ayrshire cows were of fair size, and the general appear- 

 ance was good. Hon. John Brooks exhibited an Ayrshire cow, 

 a very superior one, with the general appearance of a great 

 milker. He also exhibited a five-year-old Hereford cow, full 

 blood, a most perfect animal. She had a calf by her side 



