Ifj THOROUan-BRED STOCK. 



If we would improve the cattle of America, the grade bull must bo 

 ■abolished from our herds ; he cannot be relied upon for transmitting 

 his good qualities, if he have any, while the undesirable traits of his 

 ancestors are liable to be reproduced in any of his offspring ; ou the 

 other hand, the good qualities of the thoroughbred have been made 

 hereditary through a long and close system of breeding. How is it 

 that all our valuable herds of cattle have been raised, not by the indis- 

 criminate use of inferior bulls, but by the use of those of unquestioned 

 pedigree? It is this close system of breeding, the use of none but 

 superior males, that has given the eminent breeders the success which 

 they have attained. We are glad to observe that this Society has fol- 

 lowed the example of other Agricultural Societies in the State, and 

 abolished from its list of premiums all those heretofore offered for 

 Grade Bulls. 



HIach of the various breeds has its good qualities, and should be 

 Hciected according to the object for which the farmer wishes to breed. 

 If he wishes to raise cattle for the market, the Shorthorn is undoubt- 

 edly the best ; if he desires a large quantity of rich milk, the Ayrshire, 

 which has been bred with reference to its milking qualities, through a 

 long course of years, will bo his favorite ; or, if the best of butter be 

 his object, none will excel the Jersey which has long been celebrated for 

 its very rich milk and cream. All of these breeds were represented at 

 the Annual Fair of the Society — the Shorthorns of Augustus Whitman, 

 tho Ayrshires of E. T. Miles, and the Jerseys of John Brooks and 

 J, F. Brown — each having their admirers, and making a show of Blood 

 Stock of which any Society might well be proud. That good Stock 

 can be raised among the hills of Worcester North, we think is fully 

 demonstrated. Owing to the great diversity of our soils and climate, 

 we can fix upon no one breed of cattle which is adapted to all sections 

 of the country. In order to grow any kind to perfection, we must 

 select those that are adapted to the soil. The Shorthorns, in order to 

 attain to a full development, must have a rich soil abounding in lime- 

 stone where the materials for producing their gigantic frames can be 

 obtained in abundance. The granite hills of New England are not 

 capable of supporting them unless they are allowed a liberal artificial 

 diet, but place them on the luxuriant pastures of Kentucky and the 

 rich prairies of the West, and they will thrive. The Ayrshires and 

 Devons seem, as far as climate and soil are concerned, peculiarly 

 adapted to New England ; naturally hardy and active, they are capa- 

 ble of enduring our severe winters better than some other breeds. In 

 regard to the Jerseys, opinions differ widely as to the merits of the 

 race and its adaptation to our climate, yet they have been largely 

 imported during the last twenty-five years, and are the favorite breed 

 jn some sections of the country. 



Perhaps there is no subject connected with rural economy, that is 

 more worthy of careful study and investigation than that of breedings 

 We have the experience antl labors of all the eminent breeders of Eng- 

 land and America to guide us, while Agassiz and Law have given uo 

 the ro^varehos whicli their "ifted intellects have o-jeaned from the myw 



