SECRETARY'S REPORT. 63 



cattle which are kept out all winter, a rough and curled pile or coat of 

 hair, are, in the popular estimation, certain indications of hardiness ; but 

 it must be obvious to every thinking person that this quality, though in 

 some respects inherent in particular breeds, depends, in a great measure, 

 upon the method in which cattle are treated. * * * 



" 8. Connected with hardiness of constitution, is Early Maturity, 

 which, however, can only be attained by feeding beef cattle in such a 

 manner as to keep them constantly in a growing state. By an observance 

 of this principle, it has been found that beasts and sheep, when thus 

 managed, thrive more in three years than they usually do in five when 

 they have not sufficient food during the winter, by which, in the common 

 mode of rearing, their growth is checked. 



" 9. A Kindly Disposition to take fat on the most valuable parts of the 

 carcase, at an early age, and with but little food, when compared with 

 the quantity and quality consumed by similar animals." 



Guided by these rules, and governed by the wants of the farm 

 to be stocked, the farmer may succeed in furnishing himself 

 with an attractive and profitable breed of cattle — making such 

 allowances in the selection of dairy stock as remarks previously 

 made would indicate — and always remembering, that as to the 

 good cultivator alone does the earth yield forth her increase in 

 profitable measure, so to the careful and patient husbandman 

 alone, will cattle, whether for the stall, the dairy, or for labor, 

 yield a return in the full measure of their natural capacity, and 

 with proper remuneration. 



George B. Loring. 



John Brooks. 



Matthew Smith. 



Mr. R. S. Fay, from the committee appointed to consider the 

 subject, presented the following 



REPORT ON THE PROTECTION OF SHEEP, LAMBS, &c. 



The committee to whom was referred " the subject, and to 

 report what action is necessary to secure a fuller compliance 

 with the law for the protection of sheep, lambs," &c., report: 



That at the meeting of the Board of Agriculture, on the *Jth 

 day of January, A. D. 1861, it was voted " that the Secretary of 

 the Board be directed to call the attention of the mayor and 

 aldermen of cities, and the selectmen of the towns of this 



