13 



perky ; they will adopt and vigorously pursue the useful 

 course recommended. 



In reviewing progressive improvements in agricultural 

 pursuits, we must not forget to bestow merited praise on 

 those of our fellow-citizens who have, widi unabated per- 

 severance, continued to devote great attention and care in 

 the choice and manUQ;ement of domestic animals. Much 

 emuiatioti exists on the subject of neat cattle. We anx- 

 iously wish to see an increased ambition and more active 

 exertions in advancing neat stock to a greater degree of 

 perfection. Much remains to be done in this department 

 of the farmer. In every view, these animals form a dis*. 

 tinguished portion of New-England wealth. The annals 

 of agriculture already furnish remarkable instances of ex- 

 cellence in the dairy department. Allow" me to urge on 

 your attention a greater degree of discrimination in rela- 

 tion to the size, form and productiveness of cows. If 

 the consideration of interest can stinmlate to exertion, 

 the price of superior animals of this kind cannot fail to 

 satisfy the most extravagant desires. 



The flocks of sheep, diversified by various origins and 

 qualities, continue to whiten our hills, and to enjoy the 

 first consideration. The unpropitious occurrences of the 

 last year, severely affected this department of husloandry. 

 The deficiency of forage, in connection with the misera- 

 ble policy of encouraging foreign, at the expence of our 

 own manufacturing resources, conspired to raise a most 

 senseless clamor against sheep. The maddening deJusion 

 menaced the extinction of the race. Jt was at tliat criti- 

 cal moment we interposed our feeble voice to arrest the 

 progress of this fatally impending calamity. Tlie stcrni 

 of fury has passed away, with the superlative I'uliy and 

 contemptible selfishness which gave it birth. In less 

 than one short year, this most valuable of all our races of 

 animals is restorcd to general conudenee. The cnliunced 



