130 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



when she takes to her business and work as a dairy cow. It 

 is almost invariably so. I would feed, therefore, with special 

 reference to the business in which the animal is to be engaged. 

 If I were growing a Shorthorn for beef, I would keep him 

 growing all the time. If I were growing a dairy cow, I 

 would feed with special reference to that part of the animal 

 economy which has to do with the production of milk. I 

 would keep the calf growing moderately, not overloading it 

 with food of too nutritious a quality. I would not give it any 

 great amount of oleaginous food, but keep it mainly upon 

 hay, with oatmeal, and perhaps a little corn-meal when neces- 

 sary. I would keep it growing moderately. I would not 

 stop it, but I would not give it any food that would appeal to 

 its fat-producing functions, endeavoring always to keep in 

 mind the object in view, that when the animal grows up, it is 

 to be a good dairy cow. 



I think, if this law is followed, not only can the breeds 

 which are now recognized as dairy animals be improved, but 

 that a great improvement can be made in the general average 

 of our natives, and that the first step will be taken toward 

 accomplishing what Mr. Cheever has so well alluded to this 

 afternoon, — the production of a good, substantial, well-fash- 

 ioned Massachusetts cow, not singly, but in herds. 



I have said, gentlemen, a great deal more than I intended 

 when I took the platform, and a great deal more, I have 

 no doubt, than you desired to hear. But it is a great 

 pleasure, I desire to say, to meet you again, and I am sure 

 that in whatever business I may be engaged, I shall never, 

 unless absolutely necessary, absent myself from the meetings 

 of the State Board of Agriculture of Massachusetts. 



Adjourned to seven o'clock. 



Evening Session. 



The Board again met at seven o'clock, Dr. Loring in the 

 chair, who introduced as the lecturer, Donald G. Mitchell, 

 Esq., of New Haven, Conn. 



