No. 129.] 161 



possible rate, having in view the interest of agriculture, more 



than present profit. 



I am, sir, 



Your obedient servant, 



H. R. BALL. 



Siapleton, Staten Island, Dec. 20th^ 1851. 



I suppose it unnecessary to add, that drain tiles should be 

 porous, but I have heard of vitrified pipes being used for that 

 purpose. 



IMPORTED STOCK IN 1799. 



The following letter, which we are permitted to publish, is 

 interesting, as containing facts in relation to the efforts which 

 were early made to improve the breed of our cattle. It has often 

 occurred that animals are presented at our Fairs, claimed to be 

 purely native, and at the same time, to the practiced eye, present 

 every appearance of a cross, which the facts stated in the letter 

 may serve to explain. 



XexD-York, Dec. 16, 1851. 

 David Banks, Esq., 



Dear Sir — In answer to your request, made during the late 



cattle show in this city, relative to the introduction of the breed 



of short horned cattle in the county of Dutchess, I state that 



previous to May, 1799, Dr. Samuel Bard, General Morgan Lewis, 



and John De Witt, then residing in the town of Clinton, in 



Dutchess County, together with either Richard de Cantillon 



or Colonel William Barber, who were neighbors of Dr. Bard, 



hired a short horned bull from Alexander Peacock, imported by 



Mr. Heaton, an Englishman, residing in Westchester Co., and 



paid him for the use of the bull for one season, the sum of £60, 



or $150. I hold the receipt from Dr. Bard for the part paid by 



my father, in the following words : 



[Assembly, No. 129. J 11 . 



