196 MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURE. 



stood, — is cross-breeding with blood-stock the best mode of im- 

 proving the dairy qualities of our cows, when that crossing is 

 conducted upon the most approved principles ? Now, although 

 we are not prepared fully to answer the question in relation to 

 all, we arc abundantly ready to do so in relation to some of 

 these foreign breeds. 



Let us take the North Devon, to begin with, a breed of cattle 

 which will be always attractive to the eye, for they are in the 

 highest degree beautiful. Uniformly of the same deep red color, 

 " in activity at work, and aptitude to fatten" they stand, per- 

 haps, unrivalled. It is said that at their work "they have a 

 quickness of action which no other breed can equal, and which 

 very few horses exceed." From their reputation, in this partic- 

 ular we cannot detract if we would, and have no desire to do 

 so if we could. But in our admiration of the perfections of 

 the Devon ox, we cannot overlook the faults of the Devon 

 cow. That very rotundity of form and compact frame, with 

 no projection of bone at any point, which makes the ox quick 

 and hardy at his work, and gives him that aptitude to fatten, 

 albeit to him it is the highest recommendation, to the cow it 

 is the very strongest objection ; for that peculiarity of form, 

 however beautiful it may be, which disposes an animal at all 

 times readily to take on fat, is absolutely incompatible with 

 good milking qualities. 



Notwithstanding this objection is apparent upon a mere in- 

 spection of the animals, there are those who would have us 

 believe that, for the dairy, the Devons are more valuable than 

 any other cows. It has been published almost weekly for a 

 year or two, that a pound of butter was obtained from four 

 quarts of milk given by a cow of this breed. Has any body 

 learned during that time whether it took twelve, or twenty-four, 

 or forty-eight hours to obtain the four quarts of milk from that 

 cow ? Have we seen a line anywhere from which the least in- 

 formation could be gained, as to hoAV much butter that or any 

 other Devon cow has produced in a year, or in a single week 

 even ? Upon these points our weekly monitor maintains a most 

 ominous silence. Cattle may sell better if one desirable qual- 

 ity, one point of excellence, can be so magnified and made prom- 

 inent as ?o over-shadow and conceal a multitude of defects. 

 When our teachers of agriculture turn stock speculators, we 



