298 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



HIGHLAND. 



Agreeably to appointment by the Board, I was present at the 

 second show of the Highhmd Society, at Middleficld, Hamp- 

 shire County, September 13 and 14. 



Owing to a violent easterly storm, the day preceding the 

 exhibition, but a small collection of stock was expected, but to 

 my surprise over three hundred head were on the grounds. 



The farmers of this vicinity devote themselves principally to 

 the raising of neat cattle for beef purposes, and they have 

 spared neither pauis nor expense in procuring animals of the 

 most approved breeds, for the improvement of their stock. 



The show of oxen and steers was the best I have ever seen 

 at a county show, not for numbers or perfection of training, 

 but for size and early maturity ; almost every yoke, especially of 

 steers, was quite remarkable. A pair of grade Durhams, three 

 years of age, sired by " Roan Duke, " were estimated to weigh 

 4,000 pounds ; several other yoke, the same age, would weigh 

 from 3,200 to 3,600 pounds ; two pairs of three years old 

 Devons were marvels for beauty, weighing about 2,800 pounds 

 each ; the yearling and two years old grade Durhams were 

 unusually large. 



The collection of bulls though small was very superior. 



Devon bull " Winchester," (500) eight years of age, at- 

 tracted a great deal of attention, and was a very fine speci- 

 men of this popular breed. A bull calf by the above, out of 

 " Minna," (90(3) was a most promising animal. 



Hereford bull " Prometheus," three years old, from Reming- 

 ton's herd. New York, was a large and valuable creature. 



I was much pleased with an eight months Durham bull calf, 

 by " Marmal Duke," out of a Thoroughbred cow from Mr. 

 Lathrop's herd, of South Hadley. 



I was ])articularly interested in the Durham bull " Roan 

 Duke," six years old, by " Grand Duke," the latter imported 

 by Mr. Thorne, of New York, at an expense of one thousand 

 guineas. " Roan Duke" is one of only three bull calves ever 

 sired by "Grand Duke," in this country; he is a splendid 

 specimen of the "short-horn" family, and has already been of 

 great service in improving the size, and hastening the 

 maturity of the cattle raised in this vicinity ; although he was 



