INTRODUCTION OF THE KERRY TO AMERICA. I3 



*'I purchased for Arthur W. Austin, Esq.. five two-year- 

 old Kerry heifers and a bull of the same breed, which arrived 

 here after a very long and boisterous passage, in November 

 last. The bull, however, was so much exhausted, that he died 

 a few days after his arrival. The others are at Mr. Austin's 

 farm in West Roxbury, and are doing well. Another Kerry 

 bull has been ordered for Mr. Austin, which it is hoped will 

 reach here in June next, so that through Mr. Austin's exertions 

 it is believed the breed will be fairly introduced, and subjected 

 to such thorough trials as will settle the question in regard to 

 their usefulness here." 



In i860, the committee on cattle of the Norfolk County 

 Agricultural Society reported as follows : 



"The most prominent among the cattle brought to our 

 notice, were those of the Kerry breed — one bull and seven 

 heifers — imported by Arthur W. Austin, of West Roxbury, 

 from the county of Kerry. Ireland. They are probably the 

 first genuine specimens of the breed ever exhibited in this 

 country, and many persons regarded them with curious eyes. 

 In consequence of the loss of the bull first imported by Mr. 

 Austin, he obtained another. 'Mountaineer,' which, with tw^o 

 heifers, arrived in July last. The five heifers of the previous 

 importation are believed to be now in calf by this bull, and 

 are expected to come to milk in x\pril next. They have gained 

 remarkably since their arrival, averaging an increase in girth 

 of nearly an inch a month for the first year. Their indications 

 for dairy purposes are all that could be expected from the high 

 reputation of the breed. The bull is beautifully shaped — the 

 forehead broad, the eyes large and full, the muzzle open, the 

 upper and lower lines of the bcKly almost straight — while his 

 thick, furry coat and elastic hide, indicate at once an ability 

 to endure a severe climate and to thrive rapidly." 



In 1862, Mr. Austin submitted a statement regarding his 

 Kerries, under the date of January 14, this being to the local 

 agricultural society. This report was as follows : 



'T often had the milk measured during the past summer, 

 and found it did not go below 60 quarts a day for five heifers 

 of the first importation. On the 31st of May, the five alluded 

 to, having in that month produced their first calves, gave 60^ 

 quarts, or an average of 12 quarts each. On the 14th of June 

 the same five gave 6234 quarts." Three of them gave a fraction 

 over 14 quarts each. I weighed the morning's milk, and the 31 § 

 quarts, wine measure, weighed 6y}i lbs. Of the two last im- 

 ported heifers, one is fully equal to either of those of the first 

 importation, in proportion to age. she being a year younger, 



