66 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Pub. Doc. 



in dairying that brings in cattle breeding. I think it is best 

 for the farmers to raise their own cows. If we in Massa- 

 chusetts could all do that, we would be well protected, and 

 our markets would be clear of disease. But that is not so 

 to-day. We are largely dependent upon the milk-yielding 

 animals bred by others, and we run a certain risk, that has 

 been referred to, in buying cattle bred by others. 



This brings me to the thought of the value of our agricult- 

 ural fairs and educational institutions in the line of live- 

 stock breeding. I think we should make sure of having 

 typical, first-class, A 1 animals, of the breeds that are 

 apparently the most useful in the locality where the fairs are 

 held. I have heard of cases where the management has 

 selected animals to be shown, and guaranteed the owners 

 certain sums of money, being sure that they were first-class 

 in quality and educational in that respect. It does not shut 

 out others. It seems to me there is a great deal to commend 

 in that plan of selecting first-class animals as object lessons 

 at fairs. 



Mr. C. D. Sage (of North Brookfield). I believe what 

 our worthy ex-secretary has said in regard to raising calves. 

 I believe we should always try to breed to some purpose. 

 The breed depends on the line of dair} ing we intend to fol- 

 low. I want to repeat the advice I gave to a young man 

 who has just been married, and l)ought a farm and started 

 out to stock it. He asked me about buying the stock. I 

 told him to buy a few good thoroughbreds. Get some good 

 ones when you start, and raise the calves. It costs no more to 

 raise the calves from a good thoroughbred cow, and you will be 

 sure of getting a worthy animal ; and you will be sure, if you 

 make a good selection, to get a better price for your product. 



I find that, while it is always well to give the calves a 

 good start if you can, it is not always advisal^le to attempt 

 to force. I have had more disappointments in expecting a 

 fine cow from an animal that had been pushed than I have 

 from calves that have been neglected and sometimes bad been 

 even stunted ; they have often turned out better than cows 

 that have been forced. If we keep them thrifty and grow- 

 ing, avoid all attempts to put on fat, Ave get a better dairy 

 animal than when overfed. I think we get a better dairy 



