198 MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURE. 



consequence as the color of her nose, or the brightness, clear- 

 ness, and prominence of her eye ; the shape and size of whose 

 horns are of twice as much consequence as her udder, and that 

 in the judgment of men who best know her merits — can be of 

 little value for dairy purposes. 



We may rest assured, therefore, that cross-breeding with the 

 North Devon will never improve the stock of the country for 

 those purposes. 



^he same British authority already quoted, says of the Here- 

 fords: "The Hereford cow is apparently a very inferior animal. 

 Not only is she no milker, but even her form has been sacrificed 

 by the breeder." Mr. Colman, when in Europe, wrote of them 

 that, "in general, the Herefords rank low as dairy animals, and 

 are considered inferior." 



The Hereford ox, however, is of very nearly or quite as much 

 value for the yoke as the Devon, and fattens, it is said, quite as 

 readily, and to a much greater weight. Therein consists the 

 entire merit of the breed, as we suppose. 



Most assuredly the Hereford cannot aid in improving our 

 stock for dairy purposes. 



Perhaps it is hardly necessary to speak of the majestic, and 

 ever to be admired Durham short-horn. If our bleak, rocky 

 hills, and the fertile prairie bottoms of the West were trans- 

 posed, the short-horns, claimed by their friends as the best breed 

 of cattle for all purposes, and with good show of reason, would 

 be worthy our careful consideration ; but it seems to be settled, 

 in this county at least, that our scanty pastures will not feed 

 them. 



The only British breed which we have among us besides, 

 strictly speaking, is the Ayrshire. The Jerseys, or Alderneys, 

 from the Islands in the British channel, hardly belong to the 

 main land. 



The Ayrshires are wonderful favorites in their own and the 

 adjoining districts of Scotland. It is said that they always do 

 much better in their own locality than when removed. Per- 

 haps this is not peculiar to any breed. Some of us recollect 

 the answer made by an old gentleman in this county, when 

 complaint was made by the person to whom he had sold a cow, 

 that she did not give so much milk as it was said she had done 



