184 MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURE. 



HAMPSHIRE, FRANKLIN AND HAMPDEN. 



From the Report of the Committee on Stock. 



Soon after the formation of this Society, in 1818, Samuel 

 Williams, of London, sent to his brother, Stephen "Williams, 

 of Northborough, the Short-horn bull, "Young Denton," (963 

 herd book,) and the cow, " Arabella," by " North Star," (460,) 

 both bred by John Wetherell, who derived some of his original 

 stock from Charles Colling. Among the number Avas the bull, 

 " Comet," for which he paid one thousand guineas at public sale 

 in the year 1810. I. Yeamans, in 1820, introduced into the 

 town of "Wcstfield, Short-horn stock of the Holderness breed, 

 and is supposed to liave taken the first step in this direction 

 within the limits of this society. The farmers of Westfield' 

 have enriched their farms and their pockets by following the 

 example of Mr. Yeamans. A cattle show is considered not 

 complete unless tlie "Westfield stock is on the ground. 



About tlie year 1824, Samuel Lathrop, of West Springfield, 

 purchased in Boston, Short-horn stock, and laid the foundation 

 for improvement in this neighborhood. In the year 1834, T. P. 

 & T. G. Huntington, of Hadley, purchased the cow, " Duchess," 

 which was of the Denton family, above mentioned. Also the 

 cows, " Princess " and " Rosemary," of the Holderness family. 

 Also the then famous bull, " Lord Nelson." The introduction of 

 this stock caused surprise. There was not room, in the opinion 

 of a majority of tlie public, for the introduction of stock of 

 " foreign blood " — having such high claims " in the line of 

 descent," and bearing a name known only within the privileged 

 circles of the crown. If this herd could liave been as easily 

 handled as " the tea," in Boston Harbor, the intruders would 

 probably have been thrown over the county lines, and so on 

 and on, till they were landed outside the State limits. The 

 subjects were weighty, and growing steadily into ponderous 

 proportions, made room for themselves. " Lord Nelson " never 

 surrendered to, but set at defiance and finally conquered " a 

 battalion " or more of ifs and ands, and doubts and fears, 

 speculations and prejudices. 



Paoli Lathrop brought into the field in 1837, five cows and 

 heifers, the product of the Williams importation, before men- 

 tioned, and commenced breeding on an ample capital ! His 



