46 



HEIFERS. 



The Committee on Heifers report that a large number of 

 very superior animals of this class were entered for premium 

 and submitted to their inspection, viz. : thirty-five heifers, be- 

 sides twenty-seven calves. Of these some were natives, many 

 were of the different grades, and but few were of pure breeds. 

 Among the latter was the full-blood Jersey stock, sixteen ani- 

 mals in all, belonging to Francis Dane, of Hamilton, who is 

 giving attention largely to the raising of this breed, so famous 

 for its milking qualities, and is collecting together specimens 

 from some of the best importations. 



It was gratifying to the Committee, and must be to all in- 

 terested in the improvement of our Dairy stock, to witness the 

 increased attention now given in the county to the raising of 

 our own heifers. The price of good heifers from the droves 

 has of late been so high, that it must pay well to select the 

 best heifer calves dropped on our farms, and raise them to form 

 our milking herds. The temptation to sell to the butcher veal 

 calves, and then to buy yearlings at about the same price in 

 the fall, is too great to be generally resisted ; but it frequently 

 happens that the calves are sold and the yearlings not bought. 



From our own observation — not at the Cattle Show merely, 

 but on farms in different parts of the County, we are of the 

 opinion that at the present time more young stock is being 

 raised here than for many years past. We cannot but think 

 it is a step in the right direction. We hope many more of 

 our enterprising farmers will follow it and that the Society will 

 increase the number and amount of its premiums for young 

 milking stock. We can conceive of no way in which it can 

 more advantageously expend a portion of its income — so mak- 

 ing our County self-sustaining in its dairy stock, and our an- 

 nual shows, cattle-shows not in name merely, but in reality. 



We award the following premiums : — 



HEIFER3 THREE YEARS OLD. 



Francis Dane, Hamilton, first premium, $10. 



