1858.] SENATE— No. 4. 35 



ing and Sotliam, of Albany, in 1840, consisting of five bulls and 

 seventeen cows and heifers. To this herd was added other imported 

 animals in subsequent years. The stock has since been divided, and 

 both Mr. Corning and Mr. Sotham have made later importations. 

 Hon. L. A. Dowley, of Boston, in 1852, imported a bull and two 

 heifers, which were placed on his ftvrm, at Brattleborough, Vt. They 

 were bred by Lord Berwick. 



The predominant characteristic of the Herefords, is a tendency to 

 fatten. In a paper by E. F. Wells, published in the London Farmers' 

 Magazine for February, 1848, the following sensible remarks are 

 made in regard to the properties of the Herefords : — " It is allowed 

 on all hands, I believe, that the properties in which Herefords stand 

 pre-eminent among the middle-sized breeds, are in the production of 

 oxen and their superiority of flesh. On these points, there is little 

 chance of their being excelled. It should, however, be borne in mind, 

 that the best oxen are not produced from the largest cows, nor is a 

 superior quality of flesh, such as is considered very soft to the touch, 

 with thin skin. It is the union of these two qualities which often 

 characterizes the short-horns ; but the Hereford breeders should 

 endeavor to maintain a higher standard of excellence — that for which 

 the best of the breed have always been esteemed — a moderately thick, 

 mellow hide, with a well apportioned combination of softness with 

 elasticity. A sufficiency of hair is also desirable, and if accompanied 

 with a disposition to curl moderately, it is more in esteem ; but that 

 which has a harsh and wiry feel, is objectionable.'' It is for beef, 

 chiefly, that they, as well as the "improved short-horns," and the 

 Devons are bred in England. They are more hardy than the short- 

 horns, and their beef is of better quality, commanding a price in the 

 English markets equal to any, except the Highland Scotch. As 

 oxen, they are active, with weight and strength equal to the perform- 

 ance of any labor usually required. The breed ranks next to the 

 short-horn in size. As to dairy qualities, they are as good as any 

 cattle in which the fattening tendency is as highly developed. They 

 give rich milk, and if it were desirable, the milking property might 

 be developed to a greater degree, but as it would be at the sacrifice, 

 more or less, of the fattening propensity, the breed would not proba- 

 bly be, on the whole, improved by this course. There is a place for 

 the Herefords, as the breed is at present constituted, in this country, 

 and so far as they have been fairly tried, they have given good satis- 

 faction. Wherever beef and labor are the leading objects for which 

 cattle are kept in New England, and the northern section of the 

 country generally, the Herefords are worthy of a thorough trial, inas- 



