THE CULTIVATOR. 
(fcmimunuaticms. 
MR. PRENTICE’S SHORT HORN HEIFER 44 DAISY”—[Fig. 85.] 
Messrs. Gaylord & Tucker —The engraving here¬ 
with handed you, is a good likeness of my two year old 
heifer “ Daisy,” to which the lirst premium (a gold me¬ 
dal,) was awarded at the late Fair of the American In¬ 
stitute in New-York. She was bred at Mount Hope, 
near this city, and is a daughter of Matilda, by my bull 
Leopard. Matilda was from the imported cow Majes¬ 
ty, by White Jacket; and White Jacket was got by 
Young Regent, whose sire was imported Regent by Fa¬ 
vorite, the sire of Comet. Leopard was out of the Pa- 
troon’s Beauty, by his Ajax, and Ajax out of Upright by 
his Washington, and Upright out of Panzy, imported 
with Washington, by the Patrocn. 
BERKSHIRE CATTLE SHOW. 
Messrs. Gaylord & Tucker—I attended the cattle 
show and fair held at Pittsfield, on the 7th and 8th of 
October, being the 30th anniversary of that valuable in¬ 
stitution. 
The weather was very favorable, and the show of 
animals took place on the first day, and that for domes¬ 
tic manufactures on the second day. The great crowd of 
farmers and citizens, on both days, afforded abundant 
evidence of the interest taken in the objects and ex¬ 
hibitions of the society. 
The exhibition of fat and working oxen were less 
than I have ever known at any previous meeting; but 
that of three and four year olds was very respectable in 
numbers and superior in quality. The two year olds 
and yearlings were not so good. 
The show of bulls and heifers was very respectable 
indeed; the former were principally of the Durham 
Short Horns, and grades of that breed. Among them I 
noticed a very fine two year old bull owned and exhi¬ 
bited by Henry Colt, Esq. of Pittsfield. The yearling 
heifers were principally a cross of the Ayrshire and 
native breeds of the country ; and finer specimens I havm 
seldom witnessed—especially a red and white heifer ex¬ 
hibited by Jason Clapp, Esq., which very justly took 
the first prize for that class. If the owner has not al¬ 
ready given her a name, I would suggest that she should 
be called “ Nonesopretty.” I also noticed a large and 
beautiful yearling heifer, a cross of the Ayrshire and 
Polled cow, exhibited by Mr. Silas Colt, which I thought 
entitled to the second premium ; the committee gave her 
the third. 
There were some fine cows as well as calves exhibit¬ 
ed—the latter principally of Durham blood. This va¬ 
luable variety of cattle are gradually working their way 
into favor. The greatest objection heretofore to this 
breed was their color—they could not endure a white 
or a red and white animal: nothing but red, red , would 
answei;. I recollect very well the obstinacy of one 
of the committee with myself, some four or five years 
ago, when the choice lay between a beautiful roan 
calf and a large fat meaty headed, leather necked, big 
horned “ red ” bull calf, very similar to the one figured 
in the last number of the Cultivator, and all for size 
and color; but I succeeded in carrying my point and 
got the premium for the “ speckled calf.” 
The show of stocks of cattle was very limited, only 
two having been entered, one of which the committee 
did not deem of sufficient importance to be entitled to a 
premium. 
The exhibition of sheep was not so numerous as 
heretofore, but were choice of their kind. They were 
principally of the Saxony and Merino breed. A small 
lot of grade and one full blooded South Down sheep 
were exhibited, and excited considerable interest to the 
lovers of good mutton. 
Of swine, the Berkshires seem “ to stand alone in all 
their glory,” and have driven every other variety off 
the ground. This, to me, was a source of gratification, 
for when I first exhibited this very excellent breed at 
one of their fairs, some five years ago, the same objec- 
I had hoped before now to have had drawings prepa¬ 
red for your very valuable paper,of several Short Horn¬ 
ed cattle, South Down sheep, and Berkshire hogs, select¬ 
ed with great care by my brother, myself, and others, 
from some of the best herds and stocks in England, but 
Mr. Pease, who is making the cuts, has not yet been en¬ 
abled to get them completed. They will, however, pro¬ 
bably be in season for the subsequent numbers ; when, 
if you will so far indulge me, I shall be much your debt¬ 
or, and I trust the agricultural community will not be 
less so. I am, gentleman, yours truly, 
E. P. PRENTICE. 
Albany, October 20, 1840. 
tion was made to them as to the Durham cattle—the co 
lor a black hog could not be endured. Now not a white 
hog was to be seen in the pens; showing most conclu¬ 
sively that the intelligent farmers of Berkshire are open 
to conviction. 
In the evening, as usual, the Ladies’ Benevolent Soci¬ 
ety, held its annual fair and sale in the lecture room, 
giving an opportunity of a social jam or squeeze, for a 
few hours, to a very large company from every part of 
the county and abroad. The avails of this fair are to 
be appropriated, as I understand, for the support of 
one of its former members, now a missionary at Smyr¬ 
na. 
On the morning of the second day the animating ex¬ 
hibition of the “ Plowing Match” took place, about two 
miles south-east of the village. Ten teams of oxen 
and ten of horses started. The ground selected for the 
trial was in fine order and well situated, being nearly 
level and perfectly smooth. The borders were lined 
with spectators and the ladies formed no small part and 
seemed to take a lively interest in the event. Some 
thought the “ red oxen,” and others were sure the 
“ moolies” would take the first prize. 
Good order was manifested throughout the trial, and 
the plowing was executed in good time, and in a work¬ 
manlike manner, and I think the committee must have 
found some difficulty in making their decisions. 
While the teams were resting, “ Speed the Plow” was 
well performed by the Berkshire Brass Band, which 
much enlivened and animated the scene. 
After the plowing match the exhibition of Domestic 
Manufactures in the Town Hall, claimed our attention. 
The “ home made” fabrics presented, were evidence 
that the daughters of Berkshire have not laid by the 
useful spinning wheel for the piano. Flannels, soft and 
fine enough for a queen. Blankets, the very sight of 
which start perspiration. Plaid shawls that would vie, 
and not suffer by the comparison, with the impor¬ 
ted, and defy a real northwester. Linens and dia¬ 
pers as white as the “ driven snow.” Carpets of vari¬ 
ous descriptions. Cloths of many textures. Ottomans 
and foot benches, of beautiful embroidery. Stockings, 
and many other articles “ too numerous to mention.” 
The show of the products of the farm and agricultu¬ 
ral implements was very limited ; a few hay forks, hand 
rakes, and axe helves, were all that were presented— 
they were highly finished and reflect great credit on the 
manufacturers. 
At 11 o’clock the procession was formed, preceded by 
the brass band, under the direction of the marshals, and 
proceeded to the Congregational meeting-house. The 
house was soon filled to overflowing; the ladies occu¬ 
pying the wall pews below, and one side of the gallery 
above. 
The annual address was pronounced by H. A. S. Dear¬ 
born, Esq. of Roxbury. It was well composed, and well 
delivered, but altogether too lengthy, too historical and 
statistical for the occasion. The farmer wants and ex¬ 
pects something more practical, something more nearly 
relating to his immediate business. Their works show 
that they profiied by, and have not forgotten, the excel¬ 
lent practical lessons taught them by the late much la¬ 
mented Judge Buel, in his address three years ago. 
After the address the reports of the different commit¬ 
tees were read by the secretary, and the awards handed 
over by the worthy treasurer, Mr. Colt, to the success¬ 
ful competitors, consisting of silver cups, spoons, cash, 
8cc &c. 
Now, with all due deference, I would suggest the 
propriety of awarding bound volumes of the “ Cultiva¬ 
tor” or “ New-England Farmer,” for small premiums in 
the place of cash. I am aware that many would object 
to this ; but in awarding premiums, if they consist of 
plate or books, they are carefully preserved as memen¬ 
toes of their achievements, and handed down to their 
children, when if in cash, “ presto,” it is gone, and ne¬ 
ver thought of afterwards. CALEB N. BEMENT. 
Three Hills Farm, Oct. 13, 1840. 
ODDS AND ENDS. 
Berkshire vs. Common Hogs. —It is often asserted 
that the difference in breed is more in the difference of 
keeping than any thing else; in fact I believe I have 
tried hard to make myself believe this doctrine; but ex¬ 
perience, that good old teacher, has entirely eradicated 
that error. The Berkshire pigs that I procured this 
summer from A. B. Allen, Buffalo, which cost me de¬ 
livered in my yard, $32, I would not give for 32 com¬ 
mon pigs of the same age; and yet 1 will give them 
freely to any believer in the popular error, “that the 
difference is all in keeping,” if he will produce a pair 
of the common kind of equal age and equal keeping, 
that equal these in any particular. The fact is, the 
point must be given up, that there is “a proper site of 
odds” in the breeds of hogs. “ A hog is a hog,” is the 
end of argument with some hoggish argufiers. So 
is a sheep a sheep ; but I defy any and all men to make 
a coarse wool sheep fine by feeding or breeding, until 
all the coarse wool blood is bred out. A dog is a dog 
too, yet I suppose no one will attempt to argue that 
there is no difference in them. He might just as well 
argue that, as that there is little or no difference in the 
breed of hogs. In this case “ seeing is believing,” and 
and feeding is knowing. It is a fact that speaks loudly 
in favor of the Berkshires, that all who buy them are 
satisfied with the improvement. So much for Berk¬ 
shires. Though I do not mean to exclude every other 
variety, because I fully believe that in some respects, 
the Irish Graziers, Woburn, China, &c. are equal to the 
Berkshires; but I would earnestly advise every owner 
of alligators and landpikes to procure “ an improved 
breed of hogs” immediately. 
Pork may be salted, particularly for Bacon, 
without barrels. —Nearly all the western pork is 
salted in bulk, that is, piled up in one corner of a room 
like a pile of brick, and sprinkled with dry salt. It is 
well to overhaul it once, to see that the salt touches all 
parts. I never eat better bacon than that made in this 
way, without a drop of pickle. 
To keep Bacon Hams in summer. —Pack them in 
a flour barrel, in clean dry ashes or charcoal; head up 
the barrel and put it up stairs, where it is dry, and as 
cool as possible. 
Pickled Beef and Pork, in the south and west, is 
apt to sour. Take it out and smoke it dry—throw 
away the old pickle, or cleanse it by boiling. Smoke 
the barrel thoroughly and repack the meat. 
Don’t throw away the Udder of your beef cow. 
Salted, smoked and dried, it is rich, delicious eating. 
Boil and eat it cold like tongue. Try it. 
Lard never spoils in warm weather if it is cooked 
enough in trying out. 
Wash your Butter thoroughly in cold water, and 
work out all the buttermilk ; pack it in a stone jar 
and stop the mouth air tight, and it will keep sweet 
forever. 
Tomatoes make an excellent preserve. 
Sweet or Olive Oil is a certain cure for the bite 
of a rattlesnake. Apply it internally and externally. 
To cure Scratches on a Horse. —Wash the legs 
with warm strong soap suds, and then with beef brine. 
Two applications will cure the worst case. 
A lump of Saleratus or Pearlash, crowded into the 
pipe of a poll evil or thistleows, two or three times, will 
cure this incurable disease. 
Corn Meal should never be ground very fine. It in¬ 
jures the richness of it. Try it coarse. This is the se¬ 
cret why western “dodgers” are so good. 
Rice is often over-boiled. It never should be boiled 
in more water than it will absorb while boiling. Put 
two cups of rice in three cups of water, and in eight 
minutes after it commences boiling it is done. 
If you like such “ odds and ends” as these, at some 
other odd time I shall give you some more. 
Your old friend, SOLON ROBINSON. 
Lake C. H., Ia., September 2, 1840. 
[We like them, and ask for “some more.—E ds.] 
SILK. 
Messrs. Gaylord & Tucker —In May, I hatched a 
lot of silk worms, numbering about 6,000; fed them on 
the White and Black mulberry ; after the last moulting', 
I lost about half of them by crowding them too thick 
upon the shelves and being unable to ventilate the room 
in three as hot days as we have had this summer ; but 
the remainder wound about one bushel of cocoons of a 
fine quality, which at the present price would pay at 
least $4 per day, including all the time in feeding the 
whole. C. M. L. A. 
