STOCK. 181 



It will, I think, not be denied that they are great consumers. Tlie high- 

 bred animals are not remarkable for their milking properties. There are 

 exceptions, but most of these animals are inferior in the quantity and 

 quality of the milk. The finest herd of Short-horn xvhich met my ohser- 

 vation, I found in Lincolnshire. They were not in the Herd Book, 



BUT HAD been IN POSSESSION OF THE FAMILY MORE THAN FIFTY 



TEARS. A superior lot of cows in appearance and condition, I never 

 saw, nor expect to see, but they were not distinguished for their milking 

 properties. The property to take on fat is considered inconsistent with 

 that of large secretions of milk. This is not without exceptions within 

 my own knowledge, but is generally true. The beef of the Short-horns, 

 though good, is not considered of the highest quality, partly ascribed to 

 the early age at which they are killed." 



Has not the remark, made so many years ago, been verified 

 by the experience of our own time, that in developing the apti- 

 tude to fatten which distinguishes the Short-horn, the milking 

 properties of the breed which were then diminishing have now 

 measurably been lost. No stronger confirmation of its accuracy 

 could be furnished, than the improved Short-horn of to-day's 

 exhibition affords. Animals were presented to us, farmers of 

 Worcester County, for our approval, nearly perfect in form, 

 challenging our admiration for their beauty, eliciting our 

 warmest praise as specimens of an early maturing, easily fatten- 

 ing race. But where is the milking development ? Neglected 

 till it has been almost lost. 



" If I wanted milk, I should prefer such a cow !" " If I lived 

 among the blue grass pastures of Kentucky, I should breed to 

 such a bull," were remarks made in the hearing of the commit- 

 tee. Most agreeing that in their opinion, A.'s animal was the 

 best, taking into account her milking properties, and yet not 

 quite ready to determine it to be the best Durham. 



What course is to be adopted by this society for the future ? 

 Shall we recognize no animal as thorough-bred, whose pedigree 

 is not found in the herd-book ? Are there any descendants 

 among us from that herd of Lincolnshire Short-horns, the finest 

 Mr. Colman saw in England — bred in the same family for fifty 

 years, yet never registered in the herd-book ? If we require a 

 pedigree in the English herd-book, shall we also require it to be 

 traced in the American ? If so, where are our Devons ? It is 

 stated on the authority of the late Mr. Phiimey, that the beau- 



