130 THE MASSACHUSETTS SOCIETY 



at the Bussey Institute ; also for translating and printing 

 an illustrated French work on tree pruning, for gratuitous 

 distribution, $ 300 ; and for premiums at a butter show in 

 Greenfield, in 1879, $100. 



In 1874 the society made an importation of a bull and 

 eight cows of Guernsey stock, for the purchase of which 

 President Motley visited the isle of Guernsey. The bull 

 was named in the American herd book the " Duke of 

 Guernsey," thereby disusing the English herd-book name, 

 though still permitting in the record the pedigree to be 

 traced. A fine photograph of the animal was obtained, 

 which continues to adorn the wall of the society's office, 

 and attracts the attention and commands the admiration of 

 visiting connoisseurs. The herd, on arrival, was placed in a 

 suitable building on the Bussey Farm, the use of which was 

 granted by the college authorities. Some extraordinary 

 statistics of yield of milk and butter are contained in the 

 society's records relating to this herd. The calves were 

 sold, from time to time, for $100 each. In 1875 the fame 

 of the cattle being established throughout the State, and the 

 adaptibility of the breed to the climate being assured, the 

 herd was sold by auction, and a good distribution was made. 

 The prices thus obtained, in general, were low as compared 

 with the cost ; but one cow was sold for $300, and a six 

 months calf for |100. 



In 1876 an importation of Berkshire and Essex swine 

 was made. One of the trustees, Mr. E. F. Bowditch, vis- 

 ited Europe that season and made the purchases. The ani- 

 mals were placed at his celebrated farm in South Framing- 

 ham. The enterprise proved very successful, and another 

 importation was made in 1877, so that the collection aggre- 

 gated at one time a hundred or more. In the year 1880 

 the sales from this stock amounted to $1,169. 



In 1877 premiums were offered for the most successful 

 experiments in converting salt marsh into arable land, by 

 dyking and draining. A considerable degree of success at- 

 tended, during certain years, the experiments made at 

 Thompson's island and at Edgartown ; but neither was 



