86 



among all races will be found, who are exceptions to the char- 

 acteristic traits of the breed to which they belong ; but these 

 are literally exceptions to a general rule, and make nothing 

 against the established fact that races of animals are to be 

 found remarkable for their thrift, and for the liberal return they 

 give for the food which they consume. The second point 

 desirable is a disposition in the animals to take on flesh and fat 

 on the most valuable parts — on those parts which bring the 

 highest price in the market ; and to have those parts which go 

 as oftal as small as possible. A third point exceedingly desi- 

 rable is that they come early to maturity. Some animals ob- 

 tain their proper growth much sooner than others ; and are as 

 large at eighteen months as others at three and four years old. 

 All these points are matters of constitution ; and in some of 

 the improved races they have been combined in an extraordi- 

 nary manner. 



In the selection of a breed of animals for our purposes, re- 

 gard must be had to the condition of our country. The pas- 

 tures in New England are short, and the winters long and 

 severe, and therefore ill-adapted to a race of large size, of ten- 

 der habits, and requiring extraordinary keeping and the most 

 particular care to maintain their condition. The most celebra- 

 ted breeds in England are the Improved Durham Short-Horn, 

 the Hereford, the Ayrshire, and the North Devon. Of these 

 difl"erent races, highly improved animals of each sex, for the 

 purposes of breeding, have been introduced into the country 

 and into the State ; and each race has found strong advocates, 

 who have preferred it to every other. For dairy purposes, as 

 far as ray own limited experience and observation go, I have 

 no doubt that the Ayrshire, or a first cross with the Improved 

 Durham and the Devon, are to be preferred. For early matu- 

 rity and size as beef animals, the Improved Durham Short- 

 Horn appear to me to take the lead. But they are tender, and 

 require extraordinary keeping and care to maintain their good 

 qualities. They seem better adapted to the rich prairies and 

 feeding grounds of the Western States than to our scanty pas- 



