4 MASSACHSETTS SOCIETY. 



The committee entertain no doubt of the expediency of main- 

 taining the stock where it is placed, from its proximity to Boston, 

 and the good care that may be expected to be taken of it, pro- 

 vided a favorable contract could be made with Mr. Phinney. 

 After a full and free conversation with him upon the subject, 

 and obtaining information from other gentlemen residing at a 

 greater distance from the city, in regard to the price that should 

 be paid for its keeping, the committee came to the conclusion to 

 accept the proposition tendered by Mr. Phinney; namely, for 

 every animal more than two years old, two dollars per week ; 

 and for every animal less than two years old, one dollar per 

 week : — this arrangement to continue for one year from the first 

 day of July last. 



The committee feel deeply the necessity of improving the 

 breed of milch cows in this Commonwealth, and believe it can 

 be done to a considerable extent by the steady and persevering 

 efibrts of this Society. They are not unmindful of the trust 

 committed to them, and desire to discharge it in a manner that 

 shall best promote the permanent interests of the Commonwealth. 

 They therefore recommend that the herd be kept together till 

 the autumn of next year, and that sales be made, at that time, 

 of that portion of the stock that may be deemed in a saleable 

 condition. 



The committee also recommend the purchase of from six to 

 ten native cows of the highest class as milkers, that we may 

 have a cross of the foreign blood. It is believed that native 

 cows may be obtained at a price not exceeding seventy dollars, 

 and from that sum to forty dollars. For these prices, we can 

 obtain a stock of milch cows greatly superior to those generally 

 possessed by the farmers of this State. The committee are im- 

 pressed with the great improvement that may be made in this 

 branch of our agricultural economy, and entertain the convic- 

 tion that the best application that can be made of the funds en- 

 trusted to their care for the improvement of the agricultural 

 interests of our State, is to apply the means we have in improv- 

 ing the quality and increasing the number of milch cows. 



In conclusion, the Committee ask of the Board that a fair ex- 

 periment may be made, which, if consummated, they have full 



