NEAT STOCK. 213 



Recurring again to our first inquiry, as to what breed, or 

 CToss of breeds, is most desiraljlc to the intelligent grazier, we 

 confess our want of material. The lack of systematic experi- 

 ence renders it impossi])le, as yet, to give a satisfactory solu- 

 tion ; though many additional facts may be gathered from year 

 to year. In our limited inquiries we find some who still go for 

 the real, true-blue, native American cow, scouting the four- 

 footed, more even than the biped, foreigner. They tell you 

 Alderneys, will end like the hen fever, in real Shanghae disgust. 

 To such we have only to say, go at it with a will, if you can 

 whip imported l)lood with native, by all means do it ; but we 

 tell you, in all frankness, you cannot do it by herding your best 

 cows with a miserable, shrivelled bull, which confessedly im- 

 presses himself as much, some say most, upon the young calfiing. 

 The best, and only the best, of both sexes, should be selected for 

 propagation. You are contending now with breeds from the 

 mother country, where improvement of blood has been a study, 

 a science, the last two centuries. 



When the various imported breeds have been sufficiently 

 tested, whether by a cross with our natives, or per se, there 

 can be no question but important and beneficial results must 

 accrue to this branch of husbandry ; and our warm acknowl- 

 edgments are due to those liberal minded men, who, disregard- 

 ing the expense, have imported the best blooded cows and stock. 



Your committee believe that a cross of our best natives with 

 blood cattle has thus far resulted in most important benefits ; 

 and while they are constrained to admit that in Worcester 

 north the Ayrshire cross has been most fortunate in obtaining 

 premiums, they still believe, as at present advised, that in the 

 country at large, and especially in New York, the Durham 

 cross* has been most successful, not only for the plough and 

 beef-barrel, but also for milk. 



♦ CojfcoKD, Sept. 17, 1855. 



Dear Siii : — In a conversation with \oii the other day upon agricultural mat- 

 ters, you asked for my opinion as to what foreign blood I considered best to mingle 

 with our common stock, in order to produce the best milch cows. 



I have been a somewhat careful observer of the effects of crossing for many 

 years, and am satisfied, that both in animals and vegetables, when judiciously 

 done, it is productive of the most beneficial results. For, in this way, bad quali- 

 ties may be obliterated and good ones introduced in their stead. 



The Devons, now so symmetrical as to attract the attention of the most indifferent 



