16 



cattle adapted to their various localities. We have learned that the most 

 profitable cattle are those which make the largest return for the amount of 

 food consumed. The old system of importing short-horns regardless of the 

 locality on which they are to be fed has gone by. The attempt to intro- 

 duce a breed of cattle among us which only constitute an expensive luxury 

 for the rich, and an attraction chiefly because they arc expensive, has 

 failed among those who turn their attention to profitable agriculture. Since 

 the easy transportation of cattle from the West has been secured, there 

 has been less attention among us to the feeding of beef than formerly. And 

 while a quarter of a century since, a farmer was judged by the size of his 

 cattle, the largest oxen being considered an index of the wisest owner, form 

 and thrift and quality and fitness are now deemed of greater value, even 

 when attended by reduction of size. The average weight of our cows has 

 undoubtedly diminished ; and I have no doubt that the profit derived from 

 them has increased in corresponding ratio. 



Every attempt to force an animal on land unfitted for it, every attempt 

 to compel a large heavy -carcassed cow to get a living on pastures adapted 

 only to a smaller one, must end in failure. Our cattle should find abundant 

 nourishment on our hills and in our stalls, and should be selected with 

 reference to this, rather than to that magnitude of proportion which grati- 

 fies only the ambition or the taste, regardless of the purse. It is well 

 enough for the inexperienced, those who have no knowledge of agriculture, 

 to linger at our exhibitions by the pens of cattle remarkable for size alone, 

 but for the farmer of New England who depends on the income from his 

 pastures tor a part of the summer profit of his farm, this will not do. It 

 is well enough for the exquisite and artistic lovers of beauty to recommend 

 a breed of cattle, for the deer-like beauty of their heads and for that alone ; 

 but the farmer who judges of cattle well, knows that delicacy and timidity 

 of expression are not the characteristics most desirable — neither is he wil- 

 ling to excuse a whole carcass of defects and weaknesses for a pretty face. 

 There are abundant indications of a growing disposition to select animals, 

 here in this dairy region, especially adapted to its wants. And I cannot 

 doubt that the time will come when New England will be as famous for 

 its valuable dairy herds, bred with reference to her soil, as is an analogous 

 section of the Island of Great Britain. And when we have secured such 

 a breed and have recommenced our dairy system, I trust our farmers' 

 wives and daughters will find that they are strong enough to return to that 

 old system of domestic dairying which added so much to the nicest cares 

 of the household, brought large profits to the farm, benefitted the health of 



