162 MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURE. 



Is not the larger part of our stock got by (calves,) yearlings 

 before they are eighteen months old ? It is to be regretted that 

 when the male begins to exhibit his full masculine development 

 in perfection, and arrives at an age when he might be reasonably 

 expected to impart vigor and stamina to his progeny, he is set 

 aside because he is a troublesome fellow. 



In the selection of a bull from which to breed, mere external 

 form, however necessary, is by no means the only requisite ; if 

 we wish him to impart special qualities to his progeny — for 

 instance, milking qualities — we must look to his ancestral 

 record ; neither is it sufficient to know only immediate parent- 

 age ; you must, before you are sure of the right kind of an 

 animal, know his ancestry for at least three or four generations, 

 else you will have the poor qualities of immediate preceding 

 ancestry cropping out where you do not want it. Tiiis is a 

 point of great importance, for if we can trace a long line of 

 good milkers, without any intervening poor crosses, we may be 

 very sure of success. 



One great source of mischief we apprehend, arises from 

 allowing our heifers with their first calf to become pregnant by 

 an indifferent bull ; facts go to prove that the impressions made 

 on a heifer, got with calf by an inferior sire, may exhibit them- 

 selves in after productions, although a different male is used. 



The greatest progress in the improvement of our dairy cows 

 in this vicinity was made by the introduction, in 1841-2, of the 

 thoroughbred Durham bulls " Monarch " and " Hawthorn," by 

 Mr. Ayres, and in 1845, the " Duke," through Mr. Twichell. 

 The impress which they left is still to be seen in our best herds. 

 But much of what was then gained we fear has been lost by 

 indiscriminate crossing and recrossing. 



What is true in relation to these animals and this breed may 

 prove true in relation to the recent introduction among us of 

 the thoroughbred Ayrshire and Holstein breeds. We would 

 say, preserve your fine specimens from " entangling alliances ; " 

 do not couple your choice grade heifers with mongrel natives, 

 or Devons, or Durhams ; keep your breed " in the line," for it 

 must be constantly kept in view that we must always breed 

 towards the stronger or better blood, or otherwise we are con- 

 stantly deteriorating ; breeding your best cows with thorough- 

 bred bulls, coupling their progeny with an animal of the same 



