THE MASSACHUSETTS SOCIETY. 189 



view of improving the stock of the country ; and in order that 

 there should be no mistake or disappointment as to the charac- 

 ter of the respective breeds for purity of blood, and with a view 

 of obtaining the best animals upon the most reasonable terms, 

 the trustees decided on sending out an agent for the purpose of 

 making the selection. And accordingly, Mr. Alexander Bickett, 

 of Lowell, a gentleman of intelligence, and an excellent judge 

 of cattle, who had resided for some years in Scotland, and per- 

 sonally known and highly respected by most of the owners of 

 distinguished herds of cows in and about Ayrshire, was engaged 

 in July last, to proceed to England and make the purchase. Mr. 

 Bickett had, within a few years past, attended some of the cat- 

 tle shows in Scotland, had noticed the best stock, and knew 

 where he could place his hand upon the best cattle in the coun- 

 try. The acquaintance of Mr. Bickett with the respective own- 

 ers enabled him to treat with them upon terms much more 

 favorable to the Society than could have been done by a stran- 

 ger. The four Ayrshire cows and the Ayrshire bull, selected 

 by him, are probably equal, if not superior, to any other five 

 cattle that could be purchased in Scotland. They are all de- 

 scended from the purest and best blood of the Ayrshire stock, 

 as will be seen by the pedigree given of them. 



In the selection of the North Devon stock, Mr. Bickett ap- 

 plied directly to the Earl of Leicester, from whose beautiful 

 herd of North Devon cows, he hoped to be allowed to make the 

 purchase. When it was made known to the young Earl that 

 the stock was wanted for the Massachusetts Society for Promot- 

 ing Agriculture, he generously and very readily fell in with the 

 views of Mr. Bickett, and, possessing all the kind feelings of his 

 father, the late venerable Earl of Leicester, toward the people 

 of this country, he allowed Mr. B. to select from his flock, at a 

 very moderate price, a cow and three beautiful heifers, all in 

 calf by one of the most celebrated North Devon bulls in the 

 country. The Earl having no bull that he could part with, 

 he recommended a young bull of Mr. Blomfleld, which Mr. 

 Bickett succeeded, after much importunity, in purchasing. 



The cattle were all shipped at Liverpool, about the first of 

 September last, and arrived in Boston about the first of October. 



