172 The Experimental Husbandman. [March, 



It would appear from the foregoing trial that the Ayrshire cow 

 gave the richest milk, and a larger quantity of both milk and but- 

 ter than the Alderney or Devon, but the Holderness breed surpass- 

 ed them all. It gave \ lb. more butter than the Ayrshire, and 

 nearly one half more milk. It would appear therefore that the 

 Holderness breed would be admirably adapted to the purposes of 

 the city dairyman, whose profit arises from the sale of milk only. 



The old Yorkshire stock, a cross between the improved short 

 horn and the Holderness, is preferred by the London cow keepers, 

 as giving the greatest quantity of milk, though poor in quality. 



In spring the milk is more abundant; in autumn, other things 

 being equal, it yields less cheese, but a larger return of butter. 

 Where cattle are fed upon grass only, this observed difference 

 may be derived from a natural difference in the quality of the 

 herbage upon which the cow is fed. 



If the cow is milked only once a day it will yield a seventh 

 part more butter than an equal quantity of that which is obtain- 

 ed by two milkings in the day. 



THE EXPERIMENTAL HUSBANDMAN. 



BY C. X. BEMENT. 



Although agriculture is not allowed to be the most necessary 

 of all arts, it is nevertheless a subject worthy the attention of the 

 greatest and wisest men. When the Almighty chastised the first 

 man for his offence in eating the forbidden fruit, he yet preserved 

 so much tenderness for him, that he made his labor necessary to 

 him, and his practice of agriculture a resource against his misery. 

 'Tis too much luxury and pride which has rendered agriculture a 

 despicable calling ; and has made some sort of men suppose it a 

 trade only worthy such of the sons of Adam as were good for 

 nothing else, and whose poverty could only make them undergo 

 the hardships of it. 



But this was not the idea which the true Roman spirit had of 

 Agriculture ; their warriors, on their return from battle, from sub- 

 duing nations, were impatient to cultivate their lands, and 

 thought it no disgrace to follow the plow, and at the same time 

 prepared to serve the M'ants of the stat.>, and attend the councils, 

 or put themselves at the head of armies. The natural historian 

 tells us, that in those days the earth bore testimony, by the rich- 

 ness of its productions, how much it rejoiced in the honor of be- 

 ing cultivated by hero laborers and dug up by a spade crowned 

 with laurels. 



But I do not propose this as an example for every one to fol- 



