97 



An impulse has now been given to the improvement of stock in 

 this County, which it is of the greatest importance to encourage. 

 Whctlicr this can be clone most effectually by introducing exten- 

 sively the best foreign breeds, or by causing a more careful and 

 judicious selection from our native breeds, — though not a matter 

 of doubt with the majority of the Committee — is questioned by 

 many intelligent farmers. Certainly, there arc instances enough 

 in proof of the benefit of judicious crossing of the native and 

 foreign breeds, to authorize continued endeavors, on the part of 

 the Society, to enlarge their number, by awarding premiums only 

 to the best bulls of strictly pure blood. Where such crossing is 

 practised, as well as where only animals of pure blood are kept, 

 improvement is observed at once, both in the character of the 

 dairy, and of the calves fattened for slaughter ; and this improve- 

 ment is sufficient to show the absurdity, on the score of profit, of 

 the common mode of selecting and rearing stock. Whether it 

 may not be expedient to encourage, at a future day, the crossing 

 of different breeds, upon a 7nore extended scale, by offering pre- 

 miums for the best grade Bulls, is a point worthy of discussion. 

 To many, there seems to be no good reason why a race may not 

 be propagated, by careful selection from our native breeds, or by 

 judicious crossings, which shall be better adapted to our climate, 

 soil, and keeping, than is any purely foreign breed. No good 

 reason why, if England has her Devons, Durhams and Herefords, 

 and Scotland her Ayi'shires, and Ireland her Kerrys, and Jersey 

 her Alderneys, u'hich are worth importation at enormous cost, 

 America may not have a breed of peculiar form, size, beauty and 

 excellence, adapted to her peculiar climate and soil ; — liome-bred, 

 and, therefore, better fitted for liome-keeping . We hope that 

 profitable suggestions upon this whole subject, may, hereafter, be 

 given to the Society, by some one whose experience and study 

 shall lend authority to his words. 



Meanwhile, we would encourage the rearing of the best classes 

 of stock upon the farms of Norfolk County, confident that such 

 stock may be kept here, more easily and with better results, than 

 any which is purchased elsewhere.* At the same time, we would 



* Animals are wont to tlirive better at home, than from home. The most 

 celebrated foreign breeds are said to " do much better in their own locality, 

 than when removed." 



