256 MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURE. 



the improvement of our dairy stock, by the introduction of 

 specimens of other breeds into the county, such as the Alderneys 

 or Jerseys, the Ayrshires and the Devons, which although 

 unlike the Durhams in some of their leading characteristics, 

 have contributed perhaps in no less degree to the improvement 

 of our herds of neat cattle. In regard to the peculiar qualities 

 of all the improved breeds and races of stock, " the intelligent 

 farmer," who, as Emerson so beautifully and truthfully remarks, 

 " above all men lives nearest to God," should be thoroughly 

 conversant. He cannot afford to enter upon rash experiments, 

 or blindly engage in a coarse of hap-hazard breeding, blending 

 the blood of animals of the most unlike qualities, under the 

 delusive idea that any kind of a cross will improve any kind of 

 stock, when the recorded experience of the most successful 

 breeders is always accessible to him, and when h: may, if he 

 will, learn beforehand, from the success of their e .orts, just how 

 to produce the exact qualities which he most desires, and which 

 are best adapted to his location, his soil and his wants ; and 

 when he may, by the sacrifice of a little time, and a very little 

 money, give the females of his herd access to the highest bred 

 males of every breed, whose ancestry can be traced almost, if 

 not quite, to the days of Comet and Hubbach, to Duke and 

 Sir Dimple. 



In concluding this report, the committee believe that they 

 have a right to suggest to their brother farmers, who as yet 

 have done nothing to advance in their day and generation the 

 progress of agriculture in Massachusetts, except to till and 

 to mow, to plough and to sow, the same acres in the same way, 

 year after year, to contribute their mite, by a little personal 

 effort, or a little pecuniary sacrifice, which latter can only be 

 temporary, to the improvement of the dairy stock of the 

 county. If you have a likely cow, who yields a large quantity 

 of milk, of excellent quality, show your gratitude for such a 

 boon, by breeding her to the best male of a stock possessing 

 similar qualities, and do not let your love for roast veal induce 

 you for a moment to imitate the folly of the ancient woman 

 who killed the goose which laid the diurnal egg of gold. 



By such simple means, and through such humble beginnings, 

 can each farmer in Worcester county do something to promote 

 the general interests of agriculture, as well as his own, and by 



