298 NEAT STOCK* 



of *' Notices of Improved Farm Stock," in New York, 

 thus speaks of Mr. C. N. Beraent's at his Three Hills 

 farm, near Albany, than whom a more distinguished 

 and successful breeder is not, perhaps, to be found in 

 the State r 



'' Mr. B's. Durhams, like every other breeder I have 

 called upon, have become pretty well thinned in point 

 of numbers ; he has, however, a few still for sale ; 

 among these I would particularly notice his yearling 

 bull Astoria, as being of good size, and of very perfect 

 symmetry of form. I also took quite a fancy to a large 

 three year old heifer, the name of which I do not recol- 

 lect. But Durhams, as I have before hinted, I do not 

 think the proper stock on light soils, either at the North 

 or South. There are exceptions ; but, as a grand rule^ 

 they must have a luxuriant pasture that produces a 

 good thick bite in summer, with generous feed through- 

 out the winter, or it is idle to think that they can be 

 kept up to good flesh and great size. I believe Mr. B. 

 for one, is becoming convinced of this, and has accord- 

 ingly procured some Devons, an Ayreshire heifer, with 

 more expected soon to arrive from abroad, and also a 

 few good native cov^s. One of these last, of handsome 

 color, limb, and shape, unites extraordinary milking 

 qualities. From the 19th Dec. to 18th Jan. she made 

 fifty-six pounds of well-worked butter, which is nearly 

 two pounds per day, a great yield for the dead of 

 winter. She is what I think Col. Jacques would class 

 among his celebrated "Cream-pot" breed, without 

 hesitation. I have ever been a great advocate for the 

 improvement of our native breeds of all description of 

 stock, and I am glad to see Mr. B. enter upon the sub- 

 ject so spiritedly. Massachusetts' able agricultural 

 commissioner, Mr. Coleman, has shown, by his reports, 

 that we are not deficient in first-rate dairy cows. 

 These have only to be carefully selected and crossed 

 with Durham bulls of fine points, middling size, and of 

 deep milking families, to soon insure as valuable a 



