128 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



the best recognized families, then we find out what their merit 

 is. And it is surprising, too, how the soil and climate of any 

 section will arrange the animal economy so as to suit its 

 conditions. For instance, in Essex County, we have had a 

 great many Ayrshires introduced, both pure-bred animals and 

 grades, and they have laid the foundation of the most admirable 

 dairy herds we have ; and I am inclined to think, with all 

 deference to the opinions of others, that a good cow, a well- 

 balanced, well-organized, good dairy cow, converting all her 

 food most profitably into the products of the dairy, is what 

 would usually be called an Ayrshire cow. I give her that 

 name because I cannot hit it in any other way. I mean to say 

 that the cow that has the best head, the best neck, the best 

 shoulders, the best ribs, the best hips, and the best lacteal 

 functions for the dairy, is what is usually known as an Ayrshire 

 cow. That is the rule. Now, you come into Worcester 

 County, and w r hat do you see here? Long ago, there were 

 introduced into this county what were known as Durhams, or 

 Shorthorns. The climate and soil here have brought those 

 animals into the organization and condition of Ayrshires. 

 And when I have myself examined the herds of cattle in the 

 region in and around Barre and New Braintree, and have 

 found cows of about that proportion, size, shape and color, 

 which I should value in my own Essex County herd as an 

 Ayrshire cow, and have said to the owner, " What will you 

 take for that cow ? " the reply has been , " I don't want to sell 

 her. She is a good deal like an Ayrshire." I have heard 

 that over and over again. The gentleman from Barre (Mr. 

 Ellsworth) knows it. They are born a good deal like Ayr- 

 shires. The soil and climate have brought about a condition 

 of the animal economy in the Shorthorn, or Durham, which is 

 analogous to that of a good dairy cow, the animal to which 

 the Scotch farmers and breeders have devoted so much time 

 and attention. The Devon, under ordinary influences, graded 

 on other breeds, will produce somewhat similar effects. 



I do not mean to say that pure-bred Devons will do it, 

 because they are not dairy cattle, and are not claimed to be in 

 England, where they are bred for beef purposes. There, the 

 Devon is one of the finest beef animals in the world. A 

 Devon breeder who called on me two or three years ago, told 



