92 MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURE. 



It seems to be settled that the Shorthorns are of larger 

 growth and of quicker maturity ; so that for the butcher they 

 would seem to take the lead. For worji, if we take into 

 account size, symmetrical proportions, and docility of temper, 

 they would also take a prominent place ; but if we consider 

 beauty, activity, and general work on the farm, probably no 

 breed excels the Devon. But as horses have, to a great extent, 

 taken the place of oxen for work on the farm, the Massachu- 

 setts farmer must turn his attention to the stock most profita- 

 ble for dairying purposes, or for the production of milk to 

 be consumed in that form, or for the manufacture of butter 

 and cheese. 



The seller of milk looks for the cow that will give him the 

 largest quantity in proportion to the amount of food she con- 

 sumes. It is sometimes said that the flow of milk depends 

 upon the feed of the cow. To a certain extent this is true ; 

 but every farmer or milk-producer knows that a herd of 

 cows fed precisely alike (all other things being equal) will 

 not give an equal quantity of milk ; so that, in the breeding 

 or selection of cows, it is important to look well to the devel- 

 opment of their milking qualities. 



For profit the dairyman must combine quantity with 

 quality ; and here he is drawn to the Ayrshire, — a cow not 

 large in size, but one that stands foremost as a milk-producing 

 animal. 



One herd only of Ayrshires was on exhibition, composed 

 of pure-breds and grades. A question here arises as to which 

 are superior for practical purposes. A grade cow may be 

 just as good for her milking qualities, and die may not. 

 There is a degree of uncertainty in grades which is not found 

 in the pure-breds. With pure-breds there is almost a certain- 

 ty of reproducing the qualities of the original stock ; while 

 in grades you may or you may not get a reproduction that 

 will prove satisfactory. At all events, a pure-bred is needed 

 upon one side, or there will soon be degeneracy. 



In summing up, your committee would say, that in their 

 opinion, and from the best information they are able to 

 obtain, there is no cow that will give so good returns for the 

 expense of her keeping as the Ayrshire. 



N. S. Hubbard, Chairman. 



