76 MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURE. 



has grown upon it before the year 1861, when I first prepared it 

 for the cultivation of the cranberry. 



Last year there were but few small spots upon the meadow 

 where the vines were sufficiently matured to produce berries. 



STOCK. 



HAMPSHIRE, HAMPDEN AND FRANKLIN. 



From the Report of the Committee. 



One feature of the show was particularly noticeable — the 

 increase of thoroughbred stock. In Shorthorns Messrs. Lathrop 

 and Smith take the lead — Kellogg in the Ayrshires — in Kerrys, 

 Huntington — and of other breeds each one has its advocates. 

 Where such men lead, it must be safe to follow. The question 

 of thoroughbred stock has long been settled, to the untold 

 advantage of the country at large. Compare the cattle we see 

 here to-day with those of twenty -five years ago. Whence comes 

 this improvement but through the thoroughbreds ? The time 

 has come when every man who buys a farm will be very likely 

 to select his stock from high grades or thoroughbreds. The 

 same is true, not only of cattle, but of sheep and swine. What 

 but careful and judicious breeding has brought the Spanish 

 Merinos of Vermont to their present state of perfection ? And 

 judging from the fabulous prices obtained for some of them, it 

 must be very profitable. A ram of the old native stock will 

 bring from five to eight dollars, while one from the flocks of 

 Campbell or Stowell brings from one to ten or even twenty 

 thousand dollars. Surely, this must pay. And of swine, it 

 may be said that it costs no more to raise a good breed than a 

 poor one ; and farther than this, it may be shown that some 

 breeds will fatten much more rapidly than others with the same 

 feed. Is it not of some value to us to know and get the right 

 ones? Although there has been much improvement in this 

 department of farm stock, there is room for more. 



In reviewing the stock on the grounds to-day, we were very 

 much gratified in looking at some of the large cattle. The 

 first, in point of weight, and I might say in quality, were a pair 



