194 MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURE. 



NANTUCKET. 



Frotn the Report of the Cornmittee. 



GRADES AND NATIVES. 



In using the terms "thoroughbreds," "grades" and "natives," 

 they can only be understood to express relative degrees of im- 

 provement, by breeding and rearing, upon stock which has been 

 perpetuated at random. The term "native" is of course in 

 this country an anomalous expression, since the nearest ap- 

 proach to native cattle on the American continent is the bison 

 of our Western prairies. The idea which is expressed by the 

 term could be more properly rendered by the word " accli- 

 mated," since it is by the peculiar influences of our climate that 

 the distinguishing features of American cattle are produced. 



The word " thoroughbred " indicates, as an analysis of it will 

 show, an animal produced by a thorovgh course of breeding- 

 or attention on the part of mankind ; and in using the term 

 "grade" we indicate the different degrees or "-ra^es of approach 

 to the maximum point of excellence. 



An acclimation of over two hundred years has produced upon 

 our island a kind of stock possessing numerous peculiar char- 

 acteristics. As a general thing, the cattle of Nantucket have 

 not been pampered by the tenderest care nor the richest pas- 

 tures. They have been accustomed to roam over our widely- 

 extended commons, which are never over-abundant with ver- 

 dure, and where the exercise necessary to procure food would 

 seem at least sufficient to insure a thorough digestion. 



Generally speaking, the native cattle of Nantucket are of 

 medium size, cleanly built, without much superfluous flesh, 

 active, and of robust constitution, and able to subsist with a 

 very reasonable amount of food and attention. Their milk is 

 usually of fine flavor, and the butter produced from it is pro- 

 nounced by connoisseurs to be equal to any in the United 

 States. 



Since the formation of the Nantucket Agricultural Society 

 the attention of our farmers has been drawn to the improve- 

 ment of their stock, principally by crossing it with Ayrshire 

 and Alderney thoroughbreds ; and the distinguishing features 

 of .these two great families can now be seen plainly stamped 

 upon scores of Nantucket cattle. 



