SECRETARY'S REPORT. 41 



Northampton, I should be glad to see that adopted, though 

 from my knowledge of the farm connected with the hospital 

 there, I should be inclined to doubt its economy. 



It is proper to say that at the Insane Hospital at Taunton they 

 have for some time had Sliorthorns which have repeatedly been 

 shown at the exhibitions of the Bristol Agricultural Society in 

 that town. No doubt the original intention on the part of the 

 managers of tliat institution was correct, but it so far fails to 

 come up to my ideas, in that the breed adopted is not one well 

 calculated to meet the wants of the farming community of that 

 section. 



I wish, however, in the most emphatic manner, to say that 

 Dr. Clioate, the efficient superintendent, is entitled to the credit 

 of introducing the policy of keeping only pure-bred stock of a 

 high character at the institution. And as the soiling system was 

 to be adopted as a matter of necessity, on account of the poverty 

 of the pastures at that time, it made no difference, so far as the 

 interests of the institution alone were concerned, what class of 

 stock was adopted. It should also be stated that at the time 

 this policy was adopted, more than a dozen years ago, there was 

 less general information as to the comparative merits of the 

 ,distinct breeds of stock. If the decision were to be made now, 

 I have not the slightest doubt the choice of a breed would he 

 different. 



I am not familiar with the farm connected with the hospital, 

 nor have I examined the stock it produces. It may be that the 

 land and the grass are now so luxuriant that this breed can be 

 supported upon them ; but no one who knows anything about 

 the laud and the farming of that county, can pretend for a 

 moment that the Shorthorns are well adapted to its wants. 



In taking this ground, and making these remarks, I wish it to 

 be understood that I have nothing to say against the improved 

 Shorthorns as a breed. They are magnificent in their proper 

 place, upon the flat, rich and luxuriant pastures of old England, 

 and upon the level bluegrass ranges of Kentucky, nor do tlicy 

 fail of a fine development upon the splendid pastures of the 

 Connecticut Valley. If I were engaged in stock farming in 

 either of these localities, I should probably adopt them and 

 make the most of them, especially of their beef-producing 

 qualities. 



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