ESSEX AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. 93 



How this can be best effected, experienced and intelligent men 

 differ in opinion. Here, the chairman of yonr committee will 

 venture a few remarks, and for which he is alone responsible. 



Having, more than twenty years since, introduced the Dur- 

 ham short horns into my stock, and subsequently other ap- 

 proved breeds, I can speak from experience; and, although 

 three of the best cows I have ever owned, were of the cross 

 breed, yet I think, on the whole, the milking qualities of my 

 stock has not thereby been improved. If there have been ex- 

 ceptions, I have found, in the aggregate, the Durhams give less 

 milk than the natives, in proportion to the food they consume, 

 and their milk is of a poorer quality. I much prefer the half 

 blood Durhams to the natives for oxen ; they are of better form, 

 larger size, and faster travellers. The objections brought 

 against them by some, that they possess constitutions not 

 adapted to our hard climate, I have not yet, from experience or 

 observation, found correct. I have seen them severely tested in 

 the log swamp in winter ; on the farm and road in summer, for 

 a period of six years, and, at the age of ten years, fatted, and 

 have never known their equals that were of the native breed. 

 If the Durhams are not the better milkers, they are better for 

 the stock-grower, and should be encouraged in proportion as 

 that branch of husbandry should be encouraged in the county. 

 Whether the improved short horns have, or have not, received, 

 in this county, the premiums they were justly entitled to, I do 

 not here pretend to say ; but I do say, that I prefer a good ani- 

 mal ^to a favorite pedigree. Those that would derive a good 

 profit from the cow, must give her good keeping, as a large por- 

 tion of the nourishment she takes, is necessary to supply the 

 natural waste of the body; if she has no more than is neces- 

 sary for that supply, all you get in milk you lose in flesh, and 

 lose the keeping of your cows. How to keep a cow, so as to 

 derive the greatest profit, is a matter of importance to those en- 

 gaged in this occupation. Much depends on the feed, and as 

 much on the manner of feeding and sheltering. The oftener 

 you feed, the less waste of fodder, and the better the cow will 

 thrive. In this, every one must be governed by circumstances, 

 taking into account the value of the time of the feeder, the 



