46 HousatoniG Agricultural Society. 



J, W. Parks said there are two breeds of Durhanis, one for beef, and one for 

 milk. Berkshire farmers want the latter. 



George P. Bradley of Stockbridge speaking of the feeding of cattle said that 

 various modes had been tried, feeding some wet, some dry, and some hot. It had 

 been suggested to use corn and oats, but he thought it better to try wheat and 

 oats. He inquired whether in feeding good upland hay it was considered best to 

 steam the hay, or give it natural. Henrj^ L. Smith had read, with some surprise, 

 that very many who formerly steamed the food, have now discontinued doing so. 

 M. I. Wheeler said that at the discussion of tha matter by the State Board at South- 

 boro it was shown that the best results were without steaming the food. 



J. W. Parks inquired whether wheat bran is desirable for milk or butter. Mr. 

 Smith thinks bran only good for milk. 



T. S. Baldwin of Egremont being called said the best butter cows he had 

 found were a cross of Jersey with Short Horn. He thinks Ayrshires and Jerseys 

 crossed produce cattle that are too quick and nervous ; but thinks favorably of 

 crossing Holsteins with Jerseys. He has fed with corn and oats, but thinks all 

 there is in wheat middlings is to cheapen food. For a great flow of milk nothing 

 is equal to buckwheat bran, but in a short time the cow will be in the can. Warm 

 drinks are desirable, and cows that are kept warm do best. 



Henry W. Sheldon of New Marlboro thought corn in the ear ground, with 

 buckwheat middlings, half and half, give best results, for the cost, for milk for 

 the JS'ew York market. Oats are good to feed but too expensive. He pays nine 

 cents a hundred for grinding the cob. His cows earn him from $44 to $.")() each. 



J. W, Milligan of Alford thought the best breed of cattle had not yet been 

 discovered, and that from experimenting judiciously with material already in this 

 county, a superior breed could be produced for beef, butter and milk. This fall 

 calves have brought good prices, and he has lately bought some and used his milk 

 that way, with better profits than in making butter. 



H. L. Smith thought high breeding might be carried too far, and cited an in- 

 stance where a cow with calf sold for $45,000. As the calf died, sh^^ was the only rep- 

 resentative of that sum, and it is since found impossible to again get her with calf. 



M. I. Wheeler thought it was not practicable for one man to raise any such 

 stock as proposed by Mr. MiUigan, and if it was done would take at least fifty years. 



J. W. Parks was in favor of starting such a breed, even if it took fifty years 

 to accomphsh it. The beginning of this work by the farmers could be carried on 

 by the sons, and he hoped this society would offer a premium for such a breed. 



Justin Dewey, of Great Barrington, said that in 1848 his father got a httle 

 calf from a drover, and he thought it was largely Durham. It was afterwards 

 known as the " Orrin Curtis cow," and considered the best milker in this part of 

 the county. He has some of the same breed yet, and although crossed with other 

 breeds, this blood still prevails, and produces great milkers. 



Daniel B. Fenn, of Stockbridge, remembered the importation of Devon cattle 

 by Col. Dwight, also the famous "White Comet" from Troy, N. Y., and the 

 Holderness cattle from Windsor, Ct. He brought a cow home which would give 

 twenty-two quarts of milk at a milking, and weighed 1,670 pounds alive, but they 

 " could never make a pound of butter from the milk. He preferred Short Horns 

 for milk. 



The meeting was then dissolved. 



HENRY T. BOBBINS, Secretary. 



