History of the Bull Washington, 
21 
For tlie American Agriculturist. 
Gentlemen, 
It is well known in this vicinity, daring 
the existence of our former Agricultural Society, 
as well as that of the “ State Board of Agricul¬ 
ture, ” that in the summer of 1824 the late 
Hon. S. Yan Renssellaer, imported from Eng¬ 
land, through the agency of Jonn S. Skinner, 
Esquire, editor of the “ American Farmer, ” one 
bull and two heifers of the “ Improved Durham 
Short Homed” breed of cattle, being the first I 
believe of that valuable race introduced here. 
The enterprize of men of wealth, stimulated 
by a zeal for improvememt, which our agricul¬ 
tural associations have called forth, has done 
much to improve our farm stock, by the intro¬ 
duction of the choicest breeds of animals to be 
found in Europe. 
With a commendable liberality, Mr. Yan 
Renssellaer not only offeredthe use of his bull, 
gratis, to the farmers, but made presents of all 
his bull calves to such persons, as he presumed 
would be the means of doing the greatest good' 
in diffusing the blood throughout the country. 
From this it would be naturally supposed that 
all the farmers in. the immediate neighborhood 
would avail themselves of the privilege offered 
them. But such was not the case, and the bull 
was suffered to stand from year to year, at the 
farm, unnoticed and almost unknown, until about 
the year 1830. Whether this arose from the fact 
of his offering the use of his bull gratis, or from 
what other cause I am unable to say; but it is 
no less wonderful than true, as soon as a charge 
was made for his service, his value, all at once, 
seemed to be appreciated, and cows were sent 
from various directions. 
About this period, Mr Bennett, the present 
manager, took the possession of the farm. It 
is due to Mr Bennett to say, that through his 
attention and exertion, the stock soon rose into 
notice, and attracted the attention of those spiri¬ 
ted farmers that have sprung up in every section 
of our country, and large drafts were made from 
his yard and at remunerating prices. 
So many individuals of their stock, and de- 
scendents from them are dispersed all over the 
country that a history of the originals, seems 
to be called for, and for that reason, I have 
attempted to throw together such information in 
regard to them as I possess. 
Washington whose portrait adorns the head 
of this article, was in color a dark red, with 
white or roan spots interspersed over him, bred 
by Mr. Champion, of Blythe, England. In a 
letter accompanying him, Mr. Champion says, 
“The Bull, I have sent is very superior; he 
was three years old March 25th, 1824. He was 
got by a son of Blythe Comet; (who obtained 
the first prize of twenty guineas, for the best 
bull shown at the Lancaster agricultural meet¬ 
ing in 1821 ;) his dam by Blythe Comet, (and 
a great milker) his gran-dam by Prince; great 
gran-dam Neswick; from all the last three bulls 
I have bred many superior and valuable animals. 
I do not hesitate to say that he possesses more 
valuable points, substance, and desirable quality 
of flesh, than any bull I ever saw with as light 
bone and offal; and I feel great pleasure that 
I have such an animal to send to America.” 
Never did words prove more true than did the 
above as regards Washington, as his stock will 
testify. One thing however, is well worthy of 
remark; all the calves got by Washington , 
after he was ten years old were superior to 
those got before that period ; thus refuting the 
