NEAT CATTLE. 191 



NEAT CAT T L E . 



HAMPSHIRE. 



Report on Neat Cattle. 



Many of the societies in the State liad no exhibition of cattle 

 at their fairs this year, on account of the disease which had 

 prevailed in Worcester County, and of which some had died 

 elsewhere. It was no doubt in part owing to the fear which 

 some had of bringing their cattle in contact with other herds, 

 that made the exhibition in this department less than in former 

 years. The average quality was better, and the proportion of 

 blood animals much larger. The executive committee, with 

 the view of encouraging the raising of Thoroughbred stock, 

 gave the preference, in offering premiums, to such. We think 

 this is a step in the right direction, for, from our own observa- 

 tion, we have not been able to see much improvement in stock 

 at our fairs. 



How few of our members are taking any decided steps 

 towards improving their herds by skilful breeding. The 

 farmer who raises a better animal than his neighbor is satisfied, 

 when he ought not to be, unless he has done the very best he 

 can, which will never be the case, except in very rare instances, 

 and that by accident, without the use of Thoroughbred bulls. 

 There are praiseworthy exceptions in some of the towns that 

 contribute to our fair. 



Paoli Lathrop, of South Hadley, the prince of Short-horn 

 breeders in Massachusetts, has been in the business some 

 twenty-five years, and has obtained an enviable reputation 

 throughout the country. His brother, too, Wells Lathrop, is a 

 successful breeder, and has a choice herd of Short-horns. 



The stock of South Hadley and Granby shows decided marks 

 of improvement from the influence of these herds. Li Hadley, 

 some of the farmers have recently commenced with the Short- 

 horns. A club own a fine Short-horn bull, and are raising 

 some choice grades. T. P. Huntington and Charles Smith 

 have two young cows from Mr. Lathrop's stock, and are raising 

 calves from them. William Newton keeps an Ayrshire bull. 



In Sunderland, Nathaniel Smith has one of the same breed ; 

 and has some grade heifers. In Prescott and in New Salem, 



