APPENDIX. xiii 



in this section of the State, " but the half had not been told me." In 

 conversation with the Hon. Paoli Lathrop, of South Hadley, an 

 extensive breeder, and one of the pioneers in improving the Shorthorns 

 or Durhams, he said he had been in the business of raising thorough- 

 bred Durhams for quite a number of years ; that the demand for the 

 first class of animals was always greater than the supply, and at the 

 present time the prospect for raising such stock is better than ever 

 before. The Durham bull owned by M. J. Smith, Esq., president of 

 the society, which took the first premium, was raised by Mr. Lathrop. 



The Durham bull owned by Stephen Heyward, Jr., seventeen months 

 old, took the second premium. This was one of the finest animals I 

 ever saw. He was raised by George T. Plunkett, Esq., of Hinsdale, 

 from his famous bull valued at $5,000. The question may be asked, 

 why he is so valuable ? Because he is said to be best, known here or 

 in Europe. His stock is in demand for exportation. The tables are 

 turned. Old England's Johnny Bulls now send to Hinsdale for their 

 supply of bulls. Perhaps I should mention in this connection other fine 

 animals, — the Ayrshires and Jerseys were there ; but, in this locality, 

 the Durhams predominate. 



One herd of fifty-nine Kentucky Durham steers, fatted there and 

 sent to Albany for beef, were purchased by N. Day and S. Alvord, for 

 the purpose of completing them by stall-feeding them this winter. 



I was told that many farmers go into this operation, not only for the 

 growth and rise of the animals, but for the purpose of increasing their 

 manure, which must be had to grow that " dirty weed, tobacco ; " yet, I 

 suppose, the most profitable crop to raise on their river " meadow lands." 



A town team from Deerfield, sixteen yoke, averaging about 4,000 

 pounds, I should judge, were mostly grade Durhams. The milch cows 

 were not so numerous, but there were some very fine animals, and great 

 reports were made of their product of milk and butter ; and one cow 

 with one-half of her milk, in June made seven pounds of butter ; this 

 reminded me of a man I once knew who kept but one cow and sold 

 about one-half of the milk to his poor neighbors ; he would always milk in 

 two pails — the first half to sell, the remainder for his wife to make butter. 



The several herds, together with other young cattle, were all very 

 good ; and, on the whole, it was a real cattle show. 



Sheep, swine and poultry were well represented. 



The exhibition in the hall of agricultural implements, fruit, vegetables, 

 bread, products of the dairy, domestic and other manufactured and fancy 

 articles were in abundance, and was creditable to the exhibitors, but 

 time and space will not allow me to particularize. And there is no 

 necessity for it, for the whole tiling was ably reported and published in 

 the local newspapers at the time for the benefit of all concerned. 



