40 MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURE. 



around our own homes. We all understand and appreciate 

 what has been done in the business and manufacturing inter- 

 ests ; yet in the domain of agriculture there have been im- 

 provements, which are greater in the aggregate than all that 

 have been accomplished in other fields of effort, and yet we 

 find that they pass almost unnoticed. Twenty-five 3'ears ago 

 an ordinary cow, of the native breed, brought only about $25, 

 and perhaps an extraordinary animal might have cost $75. 

 How little did the people of those days imagine that a cow 

 would ever bring the enormous price which one was sold for 

 the other day, for the sum of $40,600 ! Such a thing, even 

 now, will almost take away one's breath. Such things as 

 these have taught the most reluctant men among the farmers 

 the worth of improved breeds of stock and of scientific farm- 

 ing. Years ago they would not believe that foreign cattle 

 could ever become acclimated in this country, or secure the 

 high prices which they cost, but this thing has been done. 

 The American farmer went to Europe and bought some of 

 the best animals, and see what they have done for the whole 

 land ! Where is the farmer now-a-days who is not pleased 

 to see a little of the yellow blood of the Alderuey under the 

 hair of his cow, or to have an animal he happens to own com- 

 pared to the Jersey? We find animals now bringing prices 

 which in those old days seemed fiibulous. It is a very little 

 time, also, since a horse sold in this country has brought as 

 high a price as $1,000. People said it was all very well 

 for those who could afford it to raise fine horses ; but they 

 were luxuries and subserved no useful end. But what would 

 they say of this great improvement in cattle ? A gentleman 

 once went to Europe and bought a merino sheep, at great 

 expense, and brought it to America. The people said it was 

 a foolish outlay of money ; that it couldn't be acclimated, 

 etc. ; but an animal of this same breed, raised in America, 

 has since been sent back again to its native land in Silesia, 

 and even carried away the highest prize for excellence in that 

 country. We have also made a vast improvement in agricult- 

 ure. Look at the increased number of fruits that your past 

 president, Mr. Wilder, has shown here, compared with what 

 he could have shown twenty-five years ago. See the fruits 

 that have come out of the old Walker nursery ; they have 



