212 MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURE. 



dropped from a cow of ordinary or inferior milking qualities. 

 The bull imparts to the female of his progeny just as much of 

 her butter^ or cheese making qualities, as the dam that drops it. 



Joshua T. Everett, Chairman. 



From the Report of the Committee. 



Cows AND Heifers. — A most important inquiry, at the 

 present time, to the owners of milch cows, is, what breed, or 

 cross of breeds is best adapted to the production of milk, qual- 

 ity, as well as quantity being regarded ? It is not the true 

 end and scope of this or any other agricultural society to pick 

 up for premiums one animal from a dairy of some half-dozen, 

 which, fortuitously, may turn out to be a good milker, while 

 the other five, perhaps, are bad or indifferent ones, shrimped, 

 camel-backed, and ugly, of every size and color, without pedi- 

 gree ; selected, or reared without brains or science, upon the 

 doctrine of contingency or luck. 



Nor could it have been the object of our Commonwealth in 

 its liberal grants to our various county organizations, so far as 

 such grants are appropriated to the stock growers, that the 

 money should be given to the lucky holder of any chance 

 animal ; but to the systematic, intelligent grazier, who aims at 

 excellence and perfection in the stock he produces ; and who, 

 like farmer A¥ashington, of blessed memory, carefully registers 

 the breed, keep, characteristics and qualities of his stock, either 

 for the dairy, the plough, or the shambles ; who, for instance, 

 when he offers milch cows for premium, has an exact account 

 of the profits of each kind and breed, booked and footed up. 

 Not of those only, annually registered for premiums, but his 

 whole stock, from year to year, so that, by comparison, our 

 citizens may be constantly adding to their stock of knowledge ; 

 how to produce the most and best for the least money. It 

 should never be forgotten or lost sight of, that Mammon, him- 

 self, reigns in this utilitarian age, holding his throne with an iron 

 grasp ; and what "won't pay," as the phrase is, is disreputable. 

 A man now is judged by what he produces or performs, and 

 takes his grade in society, partially at least, by his character 

 and quality. 



