56 STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



Peri heifer, by Dnke of Vinewood, is doiiif;: well, and promises to make a 

 good breeding cow. An imported Hereford cow, a prize taker wherever 

 shown, was purchased of Messrs. Burleigli and Bodwell, of Vassalboro, Maine, 

 a year ago. She has brought us a grand bull calf by imported Careful, which 

 we have recently sold to Mr. J. M. Turner, of Lansing, one of the most suc- 

 cessful breeders in central Michigan, for 8300. The imported Holstein cow, 

 "Mae," tlie first choice heifer of the Birney importation, and the first pre- 

 rainm cow in her class at the State fair of 1881, was purchased of Mr. Edwin 

 Plielps, of Pontiac, a year ago. She is a very fine representative of the breed. 



Eegistered Merinos have been purchased from the flocks of Mr. A. D.Tay- 

 lor and J. P. Tiiompson, of Eomeo. Tlie ewes secured from Mr. Taylor were 

 all bred by Messrs. L. P. Clark and Bascom Bros., of Vermont, and of the 

 purest Atwood blood. The ram bought of Mr. Thompson has developed into 

 a good animal and has proved a valuable sire. A Southdown ram has been 

 purciiased of Mr. .J. Lessiter, of Jersey, Berkshire swine of N. A. Clapp, of 

 Novi, Poland Ciiina, of Barnes Bros., Byron, Mich. Mr. Geo. Stuarb, of 

 Grand Blanc, Mich., presented the department with a pair of Jei'sey Ked 

 swine a year ago. It will be seen that we have living specimens of the most 

 prominent breeds of the domestic animals named. While by the decision of 

 the Board we keep only lierds of Short Horns and Ayrshires — we design to 

 keep good individual animals, that shall fairly represent the distinctive quali- 

 ties of each breed. This enables us to give our students the best facilities for 

 illustration in stock husbandry. 



The purchases made during the two years have greatly improved our herds 

 and we iiave during this time sold fifteen well bred Short Horns, beside a 

 large number weeded out and sold for the shambles. 



It is gratifying to learn that the College is sending out animals that prove 

 satisfactory to purchasers. Our herds now embrace different families and 

 strains of the most approved blood, and we are able to offer good selections at 

 reasonable prices. We aim to keep our breeding animals in good thriving 

 condition to avoid the excessive feeding and high flesh, which has proved 

 injurious to so many well bred cattle, and to combine, as far as we can, the 

 qualities that render animals of practical value, milk and beef. 



We made an exhibition from our herd of Short Horns at the State Fair at 

 Jackson in September, 1881. Onr animals were entered and shown in their 

 respective classes, and premiums awarded as judges decided they merited. 

 The College stock is not shown for cash premiums, only competing in the reg- 

 ular classes for the ribbons. We received first premium on Third Grand 

 Baron 31)163 A. H. B. in three-years-old class, two first and two second on 

 females. The question is often raised, why do you not show the College 

 stock every year ? By decision of the Board, as I understand, the Chemical, 

 Horticultural, and Farm Departments of the College take turns in exhibiting 

 at the fairs. This will explain why the farm is represented only once in three 

 years. 



Our farm teams will soon need to be replaced by younger ones. Our horses 

 have been good work animals, but selected without reference to their breeding. 

 AVhen a change is made would it not be well to place a pair of Percheronsand. 

 a pair of Clydesdales, or high grades of these now popular breeds on the Col- 

 lege farm? 



