SECRETARY'S REPORT. 83 



But little stock is raised in the town — none with the milk 

 farmers." 



These extracts show the prevailing practice in the eastern 

 part of the State, and accounts from every town heard from, 

 are to the same effect. As we approach the western part of 

 the State, however, the aspect of the testimony changes, and 

 the prevailing opinion, in that region, is exhibited in the follow- 

 ing brief extracts. The first is from an experienced farmer in 

 the central part of Worcester County. He says : — " But little 

 attention has as yet been paid to hlood in stock. But little 

 stock has been raised here for many years. The farmers have 

 been supplied with stock from Brighton market, and it comes 

 of all sorts, colors, and qualities, as well as a mixture of all 

 bloods. This has caused a deterioration in the quality of stock 

 in this town, which farmers are beginning to open their eyes to, 

 and many, who in former days sold their calves to grace the 

 butcher's stall, now keep their best calves to grace their own 

 stalls." 



In the southern part of the same county, also, a correspond- 

 ent writes thus : — " But little attention has been paid to the 

 rearing of stock, the farmers generally selling their calves, and 

 purchasing from droves. The farmers, however, are turning 

 their attention to the rearing of their own stock, and some fine 

 animals have recently been introduced into the town. Our 

 oxen and cows are of an improved order. Cows will probably 

 yield, on an average, from twelve to fourteen quarts per day, 

 during the summer months, and some will far exceed it." 



And in the western part of the county, the report is, "Farm- 

 ers are improving their stock very much ; nearly one hundred 

 per cent, better now, than years ago." And going still farther 

 west into Hampshire County, we find: — ''A high degree of at- 

 tention has been paid to the breeding of neat cattle and sheep. 

 The most esteemed breed of milch cows and working oxen, with 

 us, has been the short-horned Durham, mixed with 'natives.' 

 The Herefords are also coming into note, and are now, so far 

 as tried, much esteemed. The average quantity of our cows, 

 of different breeds, will not (say for nine months) vary much 

 from ten quarts of milk, and ten ounces of butter per day, 

 though there are many animals that will much exceed this esti- 



