2 MASSACHUSETTS SOCIETY. 



Whether, and how far our Massachusetts cattle can be im- 

 proved by the introduction of animals from abroad, are ques- 

 tions on which we are well aware that diiferent opinions exist. 

 It has appeared to the trustees that these questions, like most 

 others of an agricultural nature, could best be settled by actual 

 experiment, and that it was highly important that no reasona- 

 ble care or cost should be spared in making such experiment. 



This they believe could be done, in the first instance, better 

 by the state society than through any other agency, and we 

 will not doubt that the experiment will now be faithfully car- 

 ried on by the local societies. Whatever other effects may 

 result from it, it seems unquestionable that it will serve to stim- 

 ulate our farmers to increased care and discrimination in breed- 

 ing from our native stock, and should such discrimination be- 

 come general, the number of valuable animals of that stock, 

 (and we are aware that even now they are not a few,) must be 

 incalculably increased. The trustees of this society are assured 

 that they could in no way better promote the welfare of the 

 agricultural community, than by contributing to such a result. 



Under such impressions they now contemplate another ex- 

 periment of a similar character with that already stated. It is 

 proposed to import from England two bulls and four cows, of 

 the Alderney breed, a race which is believed to be unrivalled 

 for the richness of its milk, and distinguished for its gentleness 

 and docility. These may be expected to arrive in the ensuing 

 spring, and their progeny, pure and mixed, will probablj'' form 

 a highly valuable addition to our dairy stock. 



At the last session of the General Court, two lectures on 

 cattle were delivered to the Legislative Agricultural Society, 

 by Dr. Edward Brooks, Jr., of Boston, who has devoted him- 

 self for several years to the study of their anatomy and diseases, 

 a study which we trust will recommend itself more generally 

 to our young physicians of ability and industry, from consid- 

 erations of humanity as well as of agricultural utility. 



Respectfully submitted, 



JOHN C. GRAY, President. 

 BEN J. GUILD, Secretary. 



