101 



in his European Agriculture says, the two finest cows he 

 saw in Europe, were North Devons, and Mr. Buck minis- 

 ter, with all the influences of the Massachusetts Plough- 

 man, sounding their praise, publishing the statement year 

 after year, that from four quarts of their milk, a pound 

 of butter was made, and at his death, the stock sold for 

 less than the average price of natives in the same con- 

 dition. 



I do not like to be obliged to write, as I have, in dis- 

 paragement of the popular breeds in our State, nor do I 

 believe that all Ayrshires and Jerseys are as poor milk- 

 ers, as some of those to which I have referred. But I 

 have written what I have to show that the mere fact of 

 an animal being a pure bred one, is not, of itself, proof 

 that he is superior to a native. 



Of the real merits of pure blooded stock, it is extreme- 

 ly difficult to obtain correct information. With the ex- 

 ception of bulls, they hardly ever come up to compete 

 for premiums, but often for exhibition, only. They are 

 bred chiefly for sale, and of course we only hear what is 

 favorable. It would be much more pleasant to fall in 

 with the popular argument, which is nearly stereotyped 

 at all our discussions in Legislative Halls or Colleges, 

 which is, that the Durhams are a large breed of cattle, — 

 too large for our pastures, — good for beef, but are poor 

 milkers, while the Ayrshires are more hardy, better adapt- 

 ed to poor feed and give large quantities of milk, while 

 the gentleman who wishes pet animals and rich milk, 

 must have the Jerseys which are delicate and need ex- 

 tra care. 



My experience is confined chiefly to a part of our 

 own county; in other parts of the State, the improvement 

 by pure bred animals, may have been more marked, but 



