SECRETARY'S REPORT. 37 



probably, be necessary to work iip to it gradually, and it might 

 take some time to get up to the point where it would be possible 

 to dispose of high class s'tock. The main point would be to start 

 right, with one or more pure-bred males, and the best females 

 that could be procured. By watching the public sales, and 

 keeping the run of the class of stock which they proposed to 

 adopt, it could not be difficult. to build up several magnificent 

 herds, nor need it take many years to do it. The recent sale 

 that I alluded to afforded a rare chance to found two or three 

 such herds. It may not occur again, and it is a matter of deep 

 regret that some of our institutions did not avail themselves of 

 the opportunity of saving some of the choicest animals to tlii^ 

 State. But if the plan is once adopted other opportunities will 

 occur. 



As I have recommended the adoption of the Ayrshires at our 

 public charitable institutions, like the State almshouses, hospitals 

 or asylums, and town poor-houses, where milk must be largely 

 produced for the consumption of the inmates, and have indicated 

 a preference for this breed over the Jerseys, under such circum- 

 stances, it may be proper to point out the difference in the milk 

 of the two breeds, and why the one is better adapted to the 

 wants of such establishments than the other, even apart from 

 the quantity produced. On this question of quantity of milk 

 given by Ayrshires and Jerseys, under precisely the same con- 

 ditions, I take it there can be no dispute of the superiority of 

 the former. The Jersey breeders themselves readily and very 

 properly admit this, basing their claim to superiority wholly on 

 the butter-making qualities, or the richness in butter of the 

 milk of Jerseys. 



As I like the Jerseys equally well, in their proper place, and 

 rejoice that there are so many intelligent breeders of this choice 

 class of animals, I shall not dispute their claim to superiority in 

 this respect, though I am inclined to believe it to be more 

 apparent tlian real. That is, the same quantity of milk of the 

 Jersey may send up more rich cream in the same length of time 

 than the Ayrshire milk, and this cream may make more butter 

 than that raised on the milk of the latter breed. And this, in 

 the butter dairy, is an important consideration. But it does 

 not follow that the milk is intrinsically richer in nutritive 

 qualities, although it appears so to the eye. 



