266 MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURE. 



last, but not least, such a habit of holding out in their milk, 

 that though their highest daily yield is exceeded by cows of 

 some other breeds, there are but comparatively few which, take 

 the year round, will give a better return for the food con- 

 sumed. 



The Jerseys, like the Ayrshires, are, as a breed, under the 

 average size. The cause and remedy for this have already been 

 suggested. 



The Guernseys are somewhat larger and coarser, but closely 

 resemble the Jerseys in their essential features. 



The Brittanies are a breed of small black and white cattle, 

 recently introduced by Charles L. Flint, and which appear to 

 unite in a singular manner many of the best qualities of the 

 larger breeds ; the symmetry of the Shorthorn, the milking 

 qualities of the Ayrshire, the gentleness and capacity for butter- 

 making of the Jersey, are all presented in such a condensed 

 form, that " Empress," at three years old, in high condition and 

 with calf, weighed only four hundred pounds. This dwarf 

 habit will, however, probably disappear under favorable condi- 

 tions of food and shelter. The bull Upton (a son of Empress), 

 presented to the Agricultural College by W. Knowlton, Esq , is 

 now six months old, and weighs 384 pounds only in good condi- 

 tion. He is a perfect model of symmetry and courage. 



Of the breeds which have been introduced, but which are not 

 known to have made any appreciable mark on American stock, 

 we may enumerate the Swiss, imported by Mr. H. M. Clark, of 

 Belmont, in November 1860, a striking-looking and probably 

 useful race of dairy cattle ; the Kerries which seem to possess 

 many of the good qualities of the Brittanies, but lack in sym- 

 metry and uniformity of appearance ; and the Galloways, whose 

 specialty appears to be hardihood, and ability to produce excel- 

 lent beef in cold and exposed situations. 



With this brief glance at the distinctive characteristics of the 

 several breeds, we pass to the question, " In what respect are 

 thoroughbred animals superior to natives and grades ?" Chiefly 

 in the ability to reproduce themselves when mated with animals 

 of their own breed, or to stamp their distinctive excellences 

 with peculiar force on the robust constitutions but unsettled 

 tendencies of the mixed breeds. Indeed, an especial mission of 

 the pure breeds appears to be the production of bull calves ; 



