Green-Mountain freeman. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1844-1884, 1847-03-25
Agricultural.
Sixth Agricultural Meeting,
IL LIZ S4ntn HMM Ill 90

The subject under discussion at the last meet
ing was resumed on Tuesday evening, Odd ult
viz : the raising and managing of horned cattle
MIR. Merriam Of Tewksbury, advocated the
foreign breed as decidedly superior to the native
Princeton, he said was more celebrated than any
other town in the State for its neat cattle; SUIT
ton was next, Worcester third, and Shrewsbury
fourth. And the grand peculiarly of the stock
of Princeton was, its foreign origin-the intro
duction, many years ago, of the Durham blood.
The best stock in the other towns named had
sprung from this He stated that at most of the
agricultural fairs, the full or half blood Durhams
took the premiums In new York he said the
native cattle had been withdrawn from the fairs.
Mr.. Brooks of Princeton, stated some facts
which detracted from Mr. Merriams account of
the Durhams, and which went to show that the
excellent cattle of his town (Princaton) were rot
of foreign blood but were natives and he main
tanned that the latter were decidedly the best.
Mr.. B. spoke of the treatment of cattle, and
urged the Importance of kindness Cows would
always be gentle if kindly treated. The habit
of scratching them little, or giving them po-
tato on approaching or passing them, would have
great effect Cows would sometimes kick when
their bags were sore, but they should then espe-
cialy behandled gently, and the sore parts wash
ed with camphor or cold water
Mr. Russell of Princeton, said the great in
quiry of farmers was, for cows that gave the most
milk. They did not care so much to ascertain
the breed, as to find the right marks Cows were
apt to be too much exposed to the cold. He
kept his tied up all winter, having water in the
barn, and they were always fat and healthy
Mr. Sheldon of Wilmington, said there were
no better cattle than the native breed If the
foreign bloods were in any case better, it was be-
cause they had better care. He thought that if
half as much pains had been taken with the ma
tive as with the foreign breed, we should be bet
ter off, He remarked upon working oxen, and
said they should be broken in young; they would
! be more kind and endure more labor The
Durham cattle, he said, were good but he had
never seen any that were so active and useful as
! the natives.
Mr.. Buckminster said that people often at
tempted to govern Cattle before they had learnt
to govern themselves. This they could never do.
In respect to COWS, the great question was, what
breed would give the most milk? Blood COWS
were handsome, but not so good for milk. Pre-.
miums had been generally awarded to the best
looking cows This was wrong, and had be-
come matter of complaint.
Mr.. Cole said that blood COWS were not the
best for milk. Their milk was not so rich as that
of the native breeds Also the beef of the Dur.
hams was coarse grained, and less eatable thar
that Of the natives
Dr. Gardner of Seekonk had stock of {
peculiar breed, which he thought was better
than any other. twas cross of the Durham
and Galway. They had no horns, we're exceed
ngly kind, and good for milk. They were not
large, and were easy to keep. Whether they
would degenerate or not remained to be deter
mined.
Mr.. Starkweather of Pawtucket, had known
some COWS of the Galway breed that were ex
cellent, and some that were very poor He die
not agree with DR.. Gardner Especially he dis
liked COW without horns; had as lief see man
without ears. DIR. G. made some further remarks
in defence of his favorite breed, and the meeting
adjourned.
Subject of the next meeting, The profits OF
Farming. "-Traocttcr.