SECRETARY'S REPORT. 55 



probable that we shall fail to do so, until there is more inii- 

 formity in the condition of our farms, and in the quality of 

 our soil. 



There is an animal which serves very well the general 

 purposes of our farms. "We mean that cow of medium size 

 and good quality, and that ox whose vigorous step carries his 

 weight, not too great, over our hills, and whicli thrives upon the 

 short grass of our pastures, and in our somewhat too economical 

 stalls. Not as the result of one line of breeding, but as the 

 fruit of a mixture of many, does this animal claim to be native. 

 Whatever breed we select, this animal is the stock vipon which 

 we are to engraft an improvement. 



Wherever the breeder possesses the materials for preparing 

 his cattle for market, he undoubtedly requires a breed of rapid 

 growth and easy fattening capacity. Where he is breeder and 

 feeder both, early maturity is a great desideratum, even if in 

 order to obtain that, he is obliged to rear an animal which cannot 

 recuperate from the effects of neglect in its youth. Where, 

 however, the feed is scanty, and the farmer cannot afford to 

 support an animal on high feed, during the most unprofitable 

 portion of its life, slower development, and a more hardy breed 

 is required. Where the dairy is the object, as it is in a large 

 portion of Massachusetts, a strong and vigorous animal, not so 

 large as to starve upon a dry pasture in August, nor so small as 

 to be useless when her dairy career is ended, is desirable ; for 

 the dairy farmer cannot make money on either. The former 

 consumes all its profit during life, and the latter sinks too much 

 capital at its death. 



For the first of these purposes, there is but little doubt that 

 Short-horns can be profitably engrafted on our native stock. 

 Experience proves this. For the second, the Hereford or the 

 Devon has been possibly used to some advantage. For the third, 

 the Ayrshire possesses the most admirable qualities, and 

 undoubtedly stands at the head. This we say without intending 

 to disparage other breeds, which evidently have merit in their 

 proper places. We recognize the fact that it is the improve- 

 ment of the cattle which we already possess, and not the 

 expensive business of importing pure bred animals, that interests 

 our farmer. We have never yet seen a Sliort-horn cross that 



