HAMPDEN SOCIETY. 229 



year. I think that her bag did not fill so readily, as after calv- 

 ing last year, and am inclined to think it would have been bet- 

 ter to have discontinued milking a few days earlier. She is 

 what, I understand from Guenon's Treatise on Milch Cows, is 

 denominated a High Cow, Flanders, of the first class and 

 order. 



Her average quantity of milk per day, from September 10th 

 to 20th, was forty-one pounds eleven ounces; or four hundred 

 and sixteen pounds and fourteen ounces for the ten days, which 

 was s6t, and the cream made into butter, producing at three 

 churnings, nineteen pounds thirteen ounces. 



She has had no bran, slops or meal, during the present sum- 

 mer, and but a little hay or green stalks occasionally at night. 

 My pastures are small, and are so arranged that she has free 

 access to running water. She is milked at the head of a lane, 

 and is not driven usually at all to the pasture, 



Westfield, Sept. 30, 1850. 



Working Oxen. 



A large number of very superior oxen were exhibited. In 

 point of number, size, quality and condition, they have not 

 been surpassed by any show that the committee ever attended, 

 in county or state, giving undisputed evidence of the great im- 

 provement that has been made in this branch of husbandry ; 

 and the farmers of the county have done themselves great 

 credit, by the interest they have manifested on this occasion. 



The committee would here express their opinion, in relation 

 to the comparative value of different breeds of cattle. A differ- 

 ence of opinion may be entertained by different individuals, 

 according to the various purposes for which cattle may be used 

 or assigned. If for fattening or making beef, the Durham, 

 crossed with our native breeds, are considered by most of our 

 best feeders, the best and most profitable stock that can be 

 raised ; for in them are found large size, rapid growth, sym- 

 metry of form, and above all, the best quality of beef, and thus 

 they will always command the highest price in market. But 

 for dairy purposes, the Ayrshire, or Ayrshire and native, are 



