MR. ROTCH'S IMPORTATIONS. 1/5 



The cows, Adeliza and Dulcibella, both roan in color, we have also 

 seen. They were good cows, prolific breeders, excellent milkers, 

 and lived to be aged animals. 



As Mr. Rotch is the only survivor of the enterprising class of 

 American gentlemen who introduced the Short-horns into the United 

 States previous to the year 1834, we may be pardoned for a further 

 brief mention of him. Contemplating this present work, we wrote to 

 him about three years ago at his rural home in Morris, Otsego 

 county, N. Y., asking for some reminiscences of the early American 

 Short-horns to aid us in the undertaking. In his answer, a brief 

 extract from which we give, it will be seen that at the age of more 

 than four-score years, "his eye was not dim, nor his natural force 

 abated." The letter is written in a clear, round hand, unshaken, and 

 legible as when in the prime of his life : 



"And now, my dear friend, having poured out the fullness of my 

 heart [his previous sentences were on personal matters only], I must 

 not expose the emptiness of n^ head, and incapacity of my mind by 

 attempting to render you much assistance in the interesting labor 

 you are about to undertake. Samuel Williams, who was bred a farm- 

 er's boy in Massachusetts, and became a leading merchant on the 

 Exchange of London, in his prosperity thought of his brother at 

 home, and presuming no present would be more acceptable than 

 some fine stock, sent him over some Short-horns from one of the best 

 herds Mr. Wetherell's, in England. I think with them came out one 

 or two heifers for a Boston gentleman. It seemed to me they were 

 not appreciated, and but for me and an old friend whom I interested 

 in the affair, their pedigrees would have been irrecoverably lost. 



"When in England, in 1828, and making an importation for my 

 brother-in-law, Mr. Rodman, I arrived at Otley just in time to attend 

 the exhibition of stock, which was then the great and leading show 

 of the North for Short-horns. My sudden arrival as an American, 

 created much interest and kindly feeling which showed itself in the 

 strong wish that I should not go away without obtaining the animals 

 I selected, though not intended for sale. * * * * 



" How I would work for you were I ten years younger ! How I 

 should enjoy it ! But it is too late. The decay of intellect, judg- 

 ment, and memory in old age is sad, and much more sad when it is 

 recognized by the individual himself. I do but cumber the earth." 



Mr. Rotch still survives, at the venerable age of eighty-five years, 

 still hale and vigorous, enjoying the temperate pleasures of his quiet 

 home in the valley of " The Butternuts," and although retired from 



