4A6 [ASSKMBLV 



American Institute, 

 Farmers^ Club, April 8th, 1851. 



Judg' e Van Wyck in the chair. Henry Meigs, Secretary. 



/ Cattle. 



M'f. Pell, of Pellham. — Perhaps there are no animals used in 

 our domestic economy more readily distinguished from all other 

 br'.jeds of tlie same class than the Devon. For example, the horns 

 oV. the Devon bull should be yellow, not particularly thick near 

 'tjhe head, and diminishing gradually towards the poifits ; the eye 

 is peculiarly bright, clear, and particularly prominent ; the fore- 

 nead is indented, not large, and flat ; the cheek small, nostril 

 high, nose yellow, neck thick, the skin thin, and covered with 

 curly hair, which curls more or less according to the condition 

 of the animal. Some of the Devon breed have a smooth, fine, 

 and glossy 'hair ; but those possessing the curly coat are general- 

 ly preferred, being considered stronger, and better feeders. The 

 head of the ox is smaller than that of the bull. The cow, ox and 

 bull differ very much in size ; the ox being far larger in all re- 

 spects than either of the others ; the bull is medium , and the cow 

 much smaller than either. The action of the ox is free, and he 

 is quicker in his movements, than any other breed ; his legs are 

 unusually straight, and the bones below the knee are quite small. 

 The tail is precisely level with the back, very seldom elevated, 

 and never depressed ; it is long and tapering, with a larger bunch 

 of hair on the end than is usual with other breeds. The skin is 

 exceedingly elastic, soft, and thin. For agricultural labor they 

 are eminently superior, being docile, stout, good-tempered, and 

 honest. They have a tendency naturally to acquire flesh and 

 take on fat. On this account, as well as for their other good 

 qualities, they should be highly prized. They may be worked 

 from two years old until they are six, after which they may be fed 

 twelve months, when they are fit for the butcher. They fatten 

 faster and consume less food than most other breeds, and their 

 flesh cannot be surpassed by any, as the following comparative 

 experiments, made by the Duke of Bedford, will show. Six an- 

 imals were fed from November 16th, 1797, to Decembei- 10th, 

 1798: 



