NEAT STOCK. 193 



ESSEX. 



Fro7n the Report of the Committee. 



Milch Cows. — In connection with the statement of the award 

 of premiums, the committee beg leave to make a few sugges- 

 tions. A leading object — perhaps it is not too much to say the 

 leading object — of this and other agricultural societies in the 

 State, has been to'improve our milch cows. The Massachusetts 

 society, older in years and stronger in resources than the county 

 societies, has, "at times, devoted a large part of its income to 

 this object. Individuals, too, who were possessed of ample 

 means and enlarged views, very much desiring to accomplish 

 the same object, have made liberal expenditures in the purchase 

 of improved English cattle, in order thereby to compass the end 

 at which all were aiming — the improvement of our stock for 

 dairy purposes. Improved short-horns were introduced long 

 ago. Ayrshires, North Devons, and to some extent, Herefords, 

 have been acclimated in New England, for a series of years. 

 More recently, the Island of Jersey has furnished us with large 

 numbers of Alderneys, so that the opportunities of cross-breed- 

 ing with these different varieties of imported animals are, and 

 for a long time have been, within the reach of every farmer, 

 whether he be rich or poor. With these means of improvement 

 furnished to his hand, the farmer has had, in addition to the 

 stimulus held out by the liberal annual premium lists of agri- 

 cultural societies, that ever-present and most powerful incen- 

 tive, his own personal interest, which, under ordinary circum- 

 stances, drives him to take advantage of every thing which in 

 any way tends to promote it. 



Great reason has there been, therefore, to expect much im- 

 provement in our dairy stock ; and if the course which has been 

 pursued is the right course to effect it, then that improvement 

 must of necessity follow. 



But how stands the fact ? The expenditure of money has 

 been enormous. Is the improvement which has been made in 

 any degree commensurate with it ? Nay, more, has any im- 

 provement been made at all ? Many men, of large experience 

 and observation, as mature in judgment as in years, incline to 

 the opinion that there has been none. 



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