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Our native cows are of every variety, but there are several 

 parts of the State where, though it cannot be said that any sci- 

 entific or systematic improvement has been undertaken, yet by 

 a long-continued selection from the best, whole families or 

 breeds aie to be found distinguished for their excellent proper- 

 ties as dairy stock. The list of native cows, which I have 

 given, shows conclusively that we have those which, for the 

 quantity of milk they give, are scarcely inferior to any ; and 

 for the amount of butter and cheese which they produce are 

 surpassed by none. The numbers referred to prove that they 

 are not rare. 



Whether any thing would be gained by substituting the Im- 

 proved Short-Horns for our present stock, is, to say the least, 

 questionable. The Short-Horns are great consumers. Though 

 animals do not always consume in proportion to their size, yet 

 this must be considered as a general rule. They require most 

 particular attention and liberal feeding to bring them to maturity, 

 though we admit that they arrive at maturity early. Many of 

 the Short-Horned premium young animals which have been 

 exhibited at our cattle-shows have had the benefit of two wet- 

 nurses for six months. Most of our native calves are put off 

 with two teats, and at eight or ten weeks old are turned adrift 

 into the pasture to live or die as they please. Our own stock 

 has never had fair play ; and if treated in the same manner as 

 the best Short-Horn stock they would not perhaps fall so far 

 behind them as might be supposed. Our pastures are in gen- 

 eral short and our winters long. A smaller race of cattle, there- 

 fore, and a more hardy stock would seem better adapted to our 

 condition. 



The London milk establishments are mainly supplied with 

 the Short-Horns, because, it is said, they give more milk, and 

 after becoming dry, take on llcsh sooner than other races, 

 and are therefore more easily disposed of to the butcher. The 

 size of these animals would naturally indicate a larger yield of 

 milk, and, at the same time, a greater consumption of food. 

 But the yield of milk is put down at an average of nine quarts 



