SECRETARY'S REPORT. 45 



there is one clause to which I must dissent, and that is the 

 clause which confines the selection to a single breed. I noticed 

 that idea in the lecture, and felt that the subject might bear 

 discussion, whether we are to attain the most desirable results 

 in comparing the different breeds, by having but one breed at 

 one institution and a different one at another institution. I 

 might keep a herd of Ayrshire cattle, and keep them in an 

 indifferent manner, so that they should not fully develop their 

 qualities, and yet, if there were no other, they must stand as the 

 representatives of that breed. You might adopt the Jerseys, 

 and by keeping them with proper attention and care, far excel 

 the produce of the herd of Ayrshires. Are we to conclude, 

 from experiments of that kind, that one breed is better than 

 another? It seems to me that we must have two or more 

 breeds kept together, under the same sort of treatment and the 

 same circumstances. Because, as every gentleman will see, the 

 circumstances in the different institutions will be so different 

 that nothing reliable can be attained. 



I have long felt that there is a need of some point where the 

 different breeds can be brought together and tested together, 

 under the same circumstances and treatment in every respect. 

 This can be done only under the guidance and direction of a 

 single individual. 



Dr. LoRiNG, of Salem. — I desire to say a word, in answer to 

 the gentleman from Chicopee. It seems to me that the Resolu- 

 tion offered by Mr. Flint meets the case exactly; for, if Mr. 

 Stedman, or any other gentleman of the Board, will go through 

 the State of Massachusetts, he will find the different breeds of 

 cattle in almost all the institutions. No farmer has one specific 

 breed. On the contrary, you can go into the best dairies, or 

 the best breeding farms in the State, and you will find, right 

 alongside, as diverse animals in breeding and shape as possible. 

 The experiment which Mr. Stedman wants tried has been going 

 on, and we have tried it perfectly. It seems to me we had 

 better develop one breed in one place, the best way we can. 

 No one man can do everything ; and no man that I ever knew 

 had the genius to breed Ayrshires and also the Shorthorns. 

 The business is just exactly as different as it is possible for two 

 things to be, and the rule that applies to a good Shorthorn is 

 entirely different from the rule that applies to a good Ayrshire. 



