52 



These minutes will give a just idea of the average weight 

 of cattle fatted for market in this county. Many animals of a 

 large size have been fatted in the county. I will give the 

 weight of some few which have come within my knowledge. 



A pair belonging to S. C. of Deerfield, weighed in Brighton, 

 when dressed, . . 1791 lbs. and 16G6 lbs.=3457 lbs. 



In Brighton market, the hide and tallow are included in the 

 weight. An ox fatted by A. S. of Deerfield, and sold at Bright- 

 on, weighed as follows : 4 quarters, 1716 lbs. ; hide, 154 lbs. ; 

 tallow, 250 lbs. ; total, 2120 lbs. This ox was five years old 

 in the spring preceding his being killed. He was of the native 

 breed ; and was never worked. His live weight was 2630 lbs. 

 The same farmer has since that time fatted an ox, whose live 

 weight was 2550 lbs. and the weight of whose quarters, when 

 dressed, was 1753 lbs. Three oxen sent by R. D. to Brighton, 

 weighed as follows : one ox, 1472 lbs. ; one 1487 lbs. ; one 

 1588 lbs. ; hide and tallow included in the weight. 



A fat bull fed by B. S. weighed, when dressed, 1051 lbs. 



A fat heifer fed by E. W. " " 832 



These cattle were almost entirely of the native stock, which 

 does not constitute a distinct breed ; and, in respect to which, 

 no systematic attempts at improvement have been made in this 

 part of the State. Two foreign bulls, understood to be of the 

 improved Durham short-horn breed, have been introduced into 

 the county. In respect to one of them brought from Hoosic, 

 N. Y., his cross with some native cows has produced excellent 

 milkers. With respect to the other, he has hardly been long 

 enough in the county to test the value of his progeny, 



2, Cows, — Some extraordinarily valuable cows have been 

 owned in the county. Two or three of them, which have come 

 within my immediate knowloge, deserve notice. 



A cow owned by H. G. Newcomb, of Greenfield, was of na- 

 tive stock and owned by him nine years. Her color v/as a 

 bright red. She was of common size, well-formed ; small head, 

 short horns, neck and leg ; always healthy and in good flesh, gen- 



