110 MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURE. 



because no mongrel cow will certainly produce a good milker, 

 however excellent the mother may be. Yet, to cross good- 

 natives with any of the pure breeds, the chance of getting a 

 good milker is increased more than fourfold. For poor pas- 

 tures and hard winters, they are not equal, as is said by some 

 breeders, to the Ayrshires. Other as reputable breeders, say 

 that no cow exceeds the Jerseys in hardiness. A farmer, with 

 a herd of Ayrshires, or Ayrshire grades, could not do better 

 than to have a Jersey or two to color and flavor his milk and 

 butter. For a private gentleman, the Jersey is far superior 

 to any other cow. 



The Devon is not usually a good milker. The Devon, crossed 

 with our native cow, would be good for a mere stock raiser. 

 For working oxen and the shambles, they are very valuable. 

 Their beef is excellent. No beef is sweeter, and none so well 

 " mixed." 



But the best milkers, in proportion to their size and food, are 

 grade Ayrshires. A cross obtained from an Ayrshire bull, and 

 a puj:e-bred Shorthorn produces a stock that for beauty, for the 

 milk-pail, and, at last, -to take on fat readily, would be hard to 

 beat. It is a most excellent and profitable stock for Nantucket, 

 if a farmer has good pasture lots for fall feed, and raises roots 

 enough to mess them through the winter. A cow of this kind, 

 owned by Isaac Macy, Esq., is the most beautiful animal in 

 appearance, and the best milker of her age in the county. 



There are about fifteen thousand acres of poor pasture land 

 in Nantucket, fenced and unfenced, exclusive of mowing lots. 

 The climate is usually mild. From present indications farming 

 has got to take the place of whaling in a very great degree. 

 Ploughing the land, instead of ploughing the sea has yet to be 

 very much the means of support. It becomes all, then, to look 

 thus early to the improvement of their stock, so that Nantucket 

 may soon be as famous for its excellent cattle and good blood, as 

 the islands on the British coast, or the valleys of England or 

 Scotland. 



We have said that care does much to make the cow. Milk is 

 not, as the Scotch have it, all "made through the mouth;" 

 good feeding is not all. To have your cows, whether natives or 

 bloods, do tlieir best, there arc certain other requisites. 



1st. They should have a warm barn. 



