FACTS FOR FARMERS. 



209 



team as others, and yet do not perform the work so 

 well. It is a fact that some farms of fifty acres produce 

 more than some others of one hundred acres. 



Is it not worth oiu' while to make inquiry into the 

 causes of these differences, and to devise a mode of 

 equalization ? And, first, as to our breeds of cattle. 

 We will make no over statements. We know there is 

 abundance of testimony that we have native cows 

 which will make more than fomteen pounds of butter 

 per week each, and we all know we have a great num- 

 ber of cows that will not make five pounds each. 

 With these facts staring us in the face, shall we not 

 cast out those that will not pay the expense of keeping, 

 and introduce better breeds ? 



We would not be understood as making compari- 

 sons with any foreign breeds of cattle. Thc^se who 

 prefer them may make the trial, and may improve by 

 crossings ; but we would improve our native breeds, 

 and select the very best. There can be no doubt of 

 the practicability of producing a herd from our native 

 stock that shall, in a very few generations, be sure to 

 prove of the true blood of the ancestors. We have 

 yet made no trial in this country; but, knowing what 

 has been done elsewhere, we can now proceed with 

 confidence, having our path lighted by lamps that 

 have gone before. 



The course of commerce between Massachusetts and 

 the interior has for many years been imfavorable to the 

 improvement of our neat stock and of our swirie. In 

 the vicinity of our cities we have found it more profit- 

 able to slay all and eat all our young neats at an early 

 age, than to rear them; while, in the interior, where 

 keeping was che^.p, and there was no market for 

 veal, the whole progeny of the neat cattle has been 

 reared, without the least regard to synunetry of form 

 or promise of excellence. All must perceive that, by 

 proceeding in this manner, we can make no improve- 

 ment in our stock. 



