liv REPORTS OF DELEGATES. 



advent of the Ayrshires, did not secure the keeping of a record of 

 the weight of milk produced by the average cow and the exception- 

 ally good cow. Had we information of the produce of the old-time 

 cattle, the weighing of the produce of their successors and com- 

 parison of the two yields would settle beyond controversy which 

 breed is superior in respect to quantity of yield. A little further 

 consideration and comparison would settle beyond controversy which 

 is the superior in respect to profitableness. 



In view of the simplicity of the problem and the interest we all 

 feel in it, is it not a little singular that it remains unsolved? Is it 

 too much to ask of this society, and of all our societies, to so direct 

 their encouragement of the agricultural interest as shall give us the 

 yields of numerous herds from year to year, with the breed and 

 weight of the animals? 



The lack of this information causes communities to be content to 

 feed and milk daily animals of a breed inferior in profitableness to 

 another that is within their reach. For long years after a few 

 persons have taken to the more profitable breed, the majorit}* cling 

 to the cattle with which they are familiar. 



Joseph N. Sturtevant. 



