368 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



This enormous increase in the value of our cattle results 

 from the introduction of the best English breeds by the old 

 " Massachusetts Society for the Promotion of Agriculture " 

 (ever forward in advancing the interests of the farmers of 

 this State) and by some public-spirited individuals in the 

 eastern part of the State, and by the readiness and good 

 judgment of our farmers in using these animals for the im- 

 provement of their herds of native cows ; and also from the 

 wise action of the State Board of Agriculture in excludinof 

 grade bulls from receiving premiums at the county shows, 

 which has undoubtedly had much influence in advancing the 

 character of our cattle. 



Consider what a wonderful progress we have made in this 

 direction. Less than fifty 3'ears ago there was not a Jersey 

 in the State. There were then no pure-bred Devons nor 

 Herefords. The first Ayrshires had just been imported by 

 Mr. J. P. Cushing and the Massachusetts Society, and were 

 still on trial ; and even the Durham shorthorns, as they 

 were then called, had not been so thoroughly tested as to 

 satisfy all that they would endure the rigor of our climate, 

 and prove desirable for the dairy. 



The first bull of this noble breed, named "Cicero," with a 

 full pedigree, was brought in by Mr. Coolidge of Boston, in 

 1818; then "Denton," the same year, by Mr. Williams, who 

 sent him to Worcester, where he did great service ; and, in 

 1820, " Fortunatus," " Coelebs," and other grand bulls and 

 cows by wealthy and public-spirited gentlemen of Boston ; 

 in 1823, " Admiral," sent by Sir Isaac Coffin, and some cows. 

 From these, all well-bred bulls from the best herds of Eng- 

 land, started our numerous shorthorns, which have given 

 figure and style to the cattle of the State to such an extent, 

 that such a beast as a " native " can scarcely be found. 



These, for many years, furnished us with splendid grades 

 for the stall ; but stall-feeding has mostly gone by for us. 

 Our beef now very generally comes from the Far West, — 

 either on the hoof, or as dressed carcasses in refrigerator-cars, 

 — not only for consumption here, but for export across the 

 seas. 



We do not raise as many young cattle as formerly ; for, 

 while we have 150,505 milcli cows, as against 130,100 in 1850, 

 we have only 38,000 calves growing up ; but we send 3,600,000 

 pounds of veal to the butcher annually. 



