64 



REPORT OF THE COMMITTEE ON CATTLE. 



The Committee appointed to examine and report on the Cattle 

 exhibited at the Show of the Society for 1860, submit the fol- 

 lowing : 



The alarming prevalence of the disease called pleuro-pneumo- 

 nia among the cattle of a portion of the State, during the past 

 Winter and Spring, induced the Board of Agriculture to recom- 

 mend to the County Societies, the omission from their lists for the 

 year, of the customary premiums on this class of stock. The re- 

 commendation was undoubtedly a ])ropcr one, under the circum- 

 stances which prompted it, although the sequel has shown that in 

 some sections of the State, the gatherings of cattle at the annual 

 shows would not, probably, have been attended with any ill conse- 

 quences. This Society acquiesced, as did others in the eastern 

 division of the State, in the recommendation alluded to ; but as, 

 previous to the time of the Show, it seemed evident that no harm 

 would result from cattle being collected on that occasion, the Trus- 

 tees deemed it proper to solicit, without offering pecuniary induce- 

 ments, an exhibition of some stock which it was known would be 

 examined by the public with satisfaction. We are happy to say 

 that the invitation was so fully responded to as to add greatly to 

 the character and interest of the general exhibition. 



Most prominent among the cattle brought to our notice, were 

 those of the Kerry breed — one bull and seven heifers — imported 

 by Arthur W. Austin, of West Roxbury, from the County of 

 Kerry, Ireland. They are probably the first genuine specimens 

 of the breed ever exhibited in this country, and many persons re- 

 garded them with curious eyes. In consequence of the loss of the 

 bull first imported by Mr. A., he obtained another, "Mountaineer," 

 which, with two heifers, arrived in July last. The five heifers of 

 the previous importation are beheved to be now in calf by this 

 bull, and are expected to come to milk in April next. They have 

 gained remarkably since their arrival — averaging an increase in 

 girth of nearly an inch a month for tlie first year. Their indica- 

 tions for dairy purposes are all that could be expected from the 

 high reputation of the breed. The bull is beautifully shaped — the 

 forehead broad, the eyes large and full, the muzzle open, the upper 

 and lower lines of the body almost entirely straight — while his 

 thick, furry coat and elastic hide, indicate at once an ability to 

 endure a severe climate and to thrive rapidly. 



It is not necessary that a particular description of this breed 

 should be attempted in this connection, as that was done pretty 

 fully in the Transactions of last year by the Chairman of this Com- 

 mittee, by Avhom the animals of Mr. Austin's first importation were 

 selected in their native country. To correct an error, however. 



