62 



prices of trade and speculation ; and a grateful sense of the kindness 

 of that just and beneficent Providence, whose blessings have ren- 

 dered his peaceful and unpretending labors successful. 



VI. NEAT CATTLE. 



Of the neat cattle of the county much might be said in praise. 

 Yet they are of no particular denon)ination, but intermixed with many 

 accidental varieties. The North Devon stock mainly prevails 

 throughout New England. Different varieties have been introduced, 

 and crosses have been made in some instances with obvious advan- 

 tage ; but, as before remarked, intelligent, systematic, and perseve- 

 ring attempts at improvements in a breed, have not been made with- 

 in my knowledge on any extensive scale in Massachusetts, save in 

 one case, to which I shall presently refer more in detail. 



1. Extraordinary Cows. I shall give an account of some re- 

 markable animals which have been found among what arc called our 

 native cattle. It is not pretended that they constitute a distinct race 

 or characterize a particular class of animals ; but they show at least 

 what materials are within our reach, upon which to build a stock of 

 high character. 



A cow of Samuel D. Colt of Pittsfield, from 1st December to 

 27lh April, 148 days, produced 193 lbs. of butter. 



A cow owned by R. Campbell of Pittsfield, has yielded 26 beer 

 quarts of milk per day. 



A cow owned by Hosea Merrill, gave 30 beer quarts of milk per 

 day. 



A cow owned by D. Fenn of Stockbridge, 8 years old, produced 

 in one week 12 lbs. 9 oz. butter. During the same time, 10 quarts 

 of the milk were sold, and in addition cream and milk were used 

 freely in the family. 



A cow owned by Calvin Davis, 4 years old in the spring of 1838, 

 in 172 days produced 225 lbs. butter, and fatted a calf. An acci- 

 dental injury to the cow, prevented a continuance of making butter. 



