MILCn COWS. 343 



i3 probably unequalled by any other; and for the dairy, partic- 

 ularly in the product of batter, they may lie said to take a high 

 stand: but their yield of milk, in quantity, as a general thing, 

 •will fall below either that of the Ayrshire or Durham. Benja- 

 min V. French, Esq., of Braintree, exhibited a fine specimen of 

 the Devon, and also a grade cow of great apparent excellence, 

 Loth of which, from the representations given, entitle them to 

 a very hfgh rank in the class to which they respectively be- 

 . 



Of the Ayrshire, some very fine specimens were exhibited by 

 Mr. Samuel J. Capcn, of Dorchester. It may be said perhaps 

 with great truth of this breed, that, as a whole, they are prob- 

 ably not excelled in their yield of milk by any other. They 

 are hardy, easy to keep, and generally docile and of good pro- 

 portion. 



The Durham s presented by Mr. Capen were also possessed 

 of much excellence. This is a breed of large growth, and gen- 

 erally require, to produce an equal quantity of milk, a more 

 generous feed than perhaps any other breed ; but by attention 

 and liberality in this respect they may be made to yield in 

 full proportion to their extra cost of keeping. Appended is a 

 statement from Mr. Capcn of the yield of one of his cows, to 

 which we have awarded the first premium. Enoch Train, Esq., 

 of Dorchester, presented a Durham cow and calf of high ap- 

 parent rank ; but as no written statement was submitted as to 

 her yield, she was necessarily placed under another list of the 

 society's premiums. Of the native and grades, some very fine 

 animals were on exhibition. 



Thus the committee have passed upon the different breeds 

 without, as before said, feeling especially called upon to 

 give an opinion as to which, all things considered, is entitled to 

 the highest rank. Each has its peculiarities; and what by 

 some would be considered a defect, would by others be over- 

 looked as of no importance or objection ; but that some breeds, 

 taken as a whole, do possess substantial advantages over 

 others, is a fact that, in the opinion of the committee, cannot 

 be denied ; and hence grows the necessity of a judicious selec- 

 tion, not only of a particular breed, but the most desirable and 



