68 TEINS ACTIONS, 



Geneseo, the Short-Horns boro off the palm, ■ This was deemed the best' 

 county exhibition of Stock in the Empire State. The grade Stock was ex- 

 ceedingly fine. At the New York State Fair at Elmira, the Durhams were 

 more numerous and excellent, than those of any other breed. There were 

 but few Herefords, Devons, Ayrshires and Jerseys. At the Illinois State 

 Fair in Chicago, the Durhams far excelled all others in elegance, beauty and 

 numbers. Of all the exhibitions of Stock seen during the past autumn, as 

 well as those observed on all former occasions, none equalled the Stock-show 

 at the Illinois State Fair. The most celebrated stock-brenders in the " Gar- 

 den State" are J. N. Brown, Esq., and Col. Dunlap, the former of Sangam- 

 mon county, and the latter of Morgan county, both of Central Illinois. Mr. 

 Brown has about fifty thorough-bred Short-Horns, and about five hundred 

 head of grades and natives. Mr. Dunlap has also a large number of thor- 

 ough-breds. The stock of these two enterprising farmers attracted much at- 

 tention. If any of the readei^ of this Report should be moved to procure a 

 fine and elegant pair of thorough-bred Durhams, the Committee can refer 

 them to no better man to fill such an order, than James N. Brown of " Is- 

 land Grcve," Sangammon Co., 111. 



The Devons are deemed a good breed for poor farms, and short feed. Ifc 

 is said that the native cattle of this country have a strong infusion of the . 

 Devon blood, being mingled more or less with that of the various other Ra- 

 ces of the small breeds. Their color is a mahogany red. They are some- 

 times called " improved natives.^' 



The Herefords are a large breed, and highly recommended by some breed- 

 ers for dairy and work. Their color is a dark red,' or reddish-brown, with 

 white faces, with more or less white on the back and belly. The Durhams 

 are gaining in the home of the Herefords, thus showing that their superiority 

 is acknowledged, even by the breeders of Herefords. 



The Ayrshires possess excellent dairy qualities. !Mr. x^yton describes them 

 as a puny race, in his work on " Dairy Husbandry," published in 1825, 

 " They are mostly of a black color, masked with white on the face, back 

 and flanks, — few of the cows yielding more than from a gallon and a half to 

 two gallons of milk per day, in the best part of the season, and when fat, 

 weighing not more than twenty stones." Their blood is mingled with that 

 of the Alderneys. The cows are very hardy, decile and gentle, and will pub- 

 sist on ordinary food. Few steers of this breed are reared fur grazing. 

 " Those, therefore, who suppose that the Ayrshire breed combines the prop- 

 erties of dairy and grazing stock, entirely mistake its distinctive character. 

 For dairy purposes it occupies a high rank, like its kindred, Jerseys, and 

 like the latter, an inferior place for grazing and fattening." 



The Aldernejs are famous only as milchers. They are a small and ill- 

 formed race. The color of this breed is, usually a light red or fawn, mixed 

 with white ; but individuals may be found that are black, mixed with white 

 or dun, and sometimes cream-colored. To preserve the purity of this race, 

 " a law was enacted in 1789, and is still i^reserved on the statute book, by 

 which the importation into Jersey of any cow, heifer, calf or bull, is prohib- 



