266 MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURE. 



cattle more capable of improving them in respect to milking 

 properties than that of well-bred short-horns. This cross, too, 

 in improving the style and colors of milch cows, will enhance 

 their market value in the large towns ; for it cannot be denied 

 that the more wealth) 7 cow owners fancy a large and shoiuy 

 animal, whatever may be the prejudices of the country farmers, 

 and they are willing to pay for what gratifies their taste. 



The Devons will long continue favorites among the breeders 

 of working cattle, and in this respect they deserve the first 

 rank ; but the accomplishments of short-horns under the yoke 

 are by no means contemptible ; while their early maturity, apti- 

 tude to fatten, and large size, render them profitable beasts 

 for the grazier. 



The high price of well-bred short-horn bulls will, probably, 

 for some time to come, prevent their introduction in any great 

 number among us ; but we have one, at least, in the county, of 

 great merit and unquestionable pedigree, coming from a good 

 milking family, and having in his veins some of the best blood 

 in the country.* Besides this animal, there are, we understand, 

 other good bulls of this breed, and high and valuable grades ; 

 and we cannot too strongly advise the farmers to avail them- 

 selves of their services.'!' 



Since the importation of Ayrshires in 1842 by that spirited 

 breeder, the late Capt. George Randall, of New Bedford, that 

 breed of cattle has been pretty well known and generally ap- 

 proved in the southern part of the county, and deserves our 

 attention. The claims of the Ayrshires to the title of a distinct 

 breed are still questioned by stock men, many of whom con- 

 tend that they are nothing more than high, carefully-bred grades, 

 a cross of thorough-bred short-horn bulls upon the small cows 

 of the south of Scotland. The investigations of men of repute 

 seem rather to confirm this opinion ; while the general resem- 

 blance of Ayrshires to good grade short-horns, and the want 

 of uniformity among them, mark them as a recent breed, prob- 



* The bull " Young Favorite," owned by E. G. Altlen, Esq., of Boston, and 

 kept in the vicinity of Taunton. 



I Mr. (jrinncll, of Dartmouth, is the owner of a young bull, " Potoniski," seven- 

 eighths short-horn and one-eighth Alderney. He was bred by Mr. Hodman, and 

 comes of superior milking stock. 



