DEVON CATTLE. 29 



objection to them is in breeding ; no dependence what- 

 ever can be placed in their transmitting any of those 

 qualities. My farm producing a considerable quantity 

 of meadow hay, I was satisfied that the Devons were 

 the best for me, and have given them a trial, and thus 

 far my expectations have not been disappointed. — 

 Their tough and hardy constitutions enable them to 

 subsist during our long and cold winters on the poorest 

 fodder, and retain their flesh, while I have found the 

 grade Durhams to grow poor on the same keeping. 



In many parts of New England, the rough and 

 rocky nature of the soil renders the use of oxen 

 necessary. Their tough constitution, quick and active 

 motion, docility, similarity and uniformity in size, form 

 and color, render the Devons for this use unsurpassed. 

 It is no uncommon thing for a man raising steers of 

 the Native breed, to spend days and travel many miles 

 to find an animal to match one he has, while in twenty 

 steers of the same age there will seldom be any trouble 

 in finding ten matched pairs of the Devon. As to their 

 milking qualities, I have not had experience enough to 

 form a decided opinion. The present season is the first 

 that the heifers of my Devon stock came in. They 

 compare very favorably, both as to quantity and quality 

 of milk, with my heifers of the same age selected from 

 my best Native cows. 



