274 MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURE. 



the purpose of improving their dairies by raising calves from 

 their best cows, with this Aldcrney cross. 



On the 31st of October last, I received Mr. Parsons' liberal 

 answer, that, for the object I had mentioned, " I might have the 

 bull so long as I should think him useful, free of any expense 

 whatever." He thinks the Aldcrney a very valuable breed. 

 After I had decided to take his .bull for the use of this county, 

 Mr. Parsons purchased an Aldcrney bull calf in his neighbor- 

 hood, at the price of fifty dollars, to serve his heifers the pres- 

 ent season. 



The bull has been at my farm, in Wenham, since the begin- 

 ning of last November, and all the time in fine plight, though 

 fed during the winter on low ground meadow hay. Mr. Par- 

 sons having so fed him, and informing me that he required no 

 better keeping; that is, while not put to cows. I shall do 

 myself what I recommend to others — raise all his calves from 

 my best cows. Mr. Parsons, in his letter before mentioned, 

 remarked <' that the bull was perfectly gentle ;" and so he was 

 found. But to keep any bull gentle, he must be used gently. 

 The tamest, by rough usage, may become ungentle. 



T. Pickering. 



Salem, May 31, 1826. 



This paper was taken about the county by Mr. Brown, who 

 had charge of the bull, and who had directions to stay only 

 about two days at the principal towns, and to give notice to 

 others of his progress. 



The crosses produced in this way became distinguished, in 

 particular localities, for the richness of their milk. 



The North Devon bull, Earl of Leicester, owned by Nathan- 

 iel Dodge, of Sutton, Worcester County, Mass., that took the 

 first prize at one year old, in 1852, also the first prize at two 

 years old, in 1853, was raised by Mr. Dodge, and will be three 

 years old the 29th of May, 1854. Earl of Leicester was sired 

 by full blood bull Roebuck, and out of Beauty, now owned by 

 Mr. Dodge, and formerly from the Patterson stock of North 



