NEAT STOCK. 223 



very extensively read in the county ; that it was generally ap- 

 proved by stock men, and instructive and useful to many, who 

 for the first time read in its pages of the principles which we 

 desired to inculcate. It is not our intention this year to equal 

 our last report in length; but our desire to increase the breeder's 

 faith in blood induces us to say a few words concerning the 

 practical lessons that our recent exhibition was capable of 

 teaching. 



The number of animals upon the ground was not so large as 

 in 1854 ; but we venture to say that in no year has there been 

 more good blood upon any show ground of our society. 



One marked feature distinguished this from all previous exhi- 

 bitions. We allude to the absence of those unsightly monsters 

 known as "native bulls," a genus that has too long been per- 

 mitted to flourish in Bristol, as well as many other counties. 



This absence of mongrels from our pens encourages the 

 belief that the popular faith in the old adage that " a bull is a 

 bull," is already shaken, and is giving way to a modern saw, 

 that "blood is blood." The time will not immediately arrive 

 when these native bulls will be only known as fabulous beings 

 of the past ; but we have no fear that they will often hereafter 

 appear upon a Bristol county show ground, to have their ugli- 

 ness exaggerated by comparison with the beauties of the North 

 Devons, short-horns and Jerseys, that have taken such hold upon 

 the admiration and regard of our farmers. 



The opportunity for an examination of the characteristics of 

 different breeds of cattle presented by our annual exhibitions 

 is one of their chief recommendations. Our ears may delight 

 in the rhetoric, our hearts be warmed by the eloquent sen- 

 timents that fall from the lips of our orators, merriment and 

 fun may be occasioned by the wit of our after-dinner speakers ; 

 but the real, practical lesson is to be learned upon the show 

 ground. 



The recent exhibition in New Bedford was eminently success- 

 ful, as affording to the intelligent farmer an opportunity to 

 study, from living models, some most important principles, — 

 principles that must be attended to, if we would succeed as 

 breeders. 



An intelligent farmer placed near Mr. Wilbur's beautiful 

 Devon bull could not fail to observe his fine points. No eye, 



