36 MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURE. 



moments over these subjects, taking them up in the order 

 named : 



I. Breeding. — I presume that to the more northerly and 

 less densely populated States of Maine, New Hampshire and 

 Vermont, may be advantageously left the breeding of much of 

 the stock that comes down into Massachusetts pastures and 

 stalls to be grazed aifd fattened, or into Massachusetts dairies 

 to be milked. Hence much of your stock must be taken as it 

 comes ; but there is not the less some opportunity for improve- 

 ment here by the gradual introduction of breeds which shall 

 turn the feed they receive -to better account if possible, either 

 for meat or milk, as may be preferred. Let us glance, very 

 briefly, at the various breeds which now present their claims 

 upon your regard, and, in doing so, I should say that I am not 

 conscious of any prejudice, as I certainly have no interest, in 

 favor of one breed ratlier than another, except in so far as 

 observation among practical men here and abroad, has made 

 me in some degree acquainted with the results and tendencies 

 of their experience. 



1. Among Cattle^ you will not be surprised I am sure, that 

 the result of that observation has been to rank the Short Horn 

 decidedly at the head of all other breeds for crossing upon 

 common stock — its grades proving themselves uniformly 

 heavier, more symmetrical and more precocious as feeders, 

 and, as regards the milk pail, occupying at least a medium 

 position. Tiie main exception, if any exist, to the adoption of 

 a Short Horn cross upon your stock — which, by the way, I 

 believe to be admirably adapted for such a cross and likely to 

 produce from it animals excellently fitted to meet your general 

 wants — must be either in the case of farms peculiarly exposed 

 and poor in herbage, or perhaps in those upon which the pro- 

 duction of milk for sale is the chief object. In the former case 

 the Devon, smaller in size and more capable of resisting cold 

 and hunger, will occur to you; and, in the latter, the Ayrshire 

 may be preferable, uniting as it does a larger flow of milk, with 

 a frame on which, at the last, consideral)le flesh of very good 

 quality may be attained for slaughter. The Ayrshire has 

 succeeded well, moreover, on farms where butter and cheese 

 are staj)les, although, as such farms should ordinarily pay 

 greater attention to fitting beef for the butcher and are more 



