HANDBOOK OF CONNECTICUT AGRICULTURE. . r 

 BREEDS OF CATTLE. 



In the early part of the last century our cattle represented 

 all colors, and claimed no particular breed ; red, brindle, yel- 

 low, and black predominating, though " white face" and "line 

 back " were in every herd. Every man preferred the color 

 in which chance had marked his best cow. They were 

 the result of early importations from England, before im- 

 proved breeds were established, mingled with Dutch stock 

 from York State. There were many good milkers, consider- 

 ing the conditions. They were expected to give milk in 

 summer, and on the lush pasturage to lay in a store of fat 

 for the cold and shortage of winter. 



Some sections became locally famous for special varieties. 

 The red cattle of Connecticut were early noted as working 

 oxen. Devons led as the first thoroughbreds introduced, and 

 the names of Hurlburt, Blakesley, Lindsley, Hyde, and Bill 

 recall the beautiful, sprightly Devons ; Sumner and Hitch- 

 cock, the stately Shorthorns ; Gaylord, the white-faced Here- 

 ford ; Norton, Taintor, and Beach, the mild-eyed Guernsey ; 

 Pond and Wells, the spotted Ayrshires motherly cows ; Fish, 

 the brown Swiss, majestic cows of a queenly type; while the 

 breeders of Jerseys are too numerous even to select from - 

 the cow for the pet of the family, and the pride of the butter 

 dairy, but still inheriting as much of the native wildness 

 as any other breeds, and last, but not least, has also too 

 many patrons to list, the Holstein the largest milk pro- 

 ducer of all, handsomely marked with black and white, and 

 of royal aspect, which, once seen, no one will dispute her 

 claim as a milker. 



These are the foundation stock from which our cattle 

 have been bred, each having qualities that give them pre- 

 eminence for particular uses and conditions. 



RIDGESIDE FARM AYRSHIRES. 



The Ayrshire herd of S. M. Wells of Wethersfield, Conn., 

 was established in 1864-65 by selections from the herds of 



