Vermont watchman and State journal. [volume] (Montpelier, Vt.) 1836-1883, 1849-07-26
Agricultural.
From the Univorsalist Waterman.
Hereford Cattle,

! am much pleased with the growing in
terest there is in the Green Mountain state,
in improving stock especially cows and OK
en-. The question what kind of stock is
best calculated to produce the most for the
farmers of Vermont is now agtating the
public mind, and many are not backward in
trying experiments and laboring to solve
the hitherto neglected inquiry That an
improvement could be made in this partc-
ular-judglng by the small knerly specimens
of common stock that may be found in al
most every farmers barn yard, all will adj
init, but what kind of stock would be best
adapted for this cline has not until re-
Gently received mucch attention. In solv-
ing this point the farmers in different por-
tons of the State have tried the Herefords,
Ayrshires and Devonshires.
Without wishing to disparage either of
the above named cattle, | would briefly
give the result of my experience and pref
erence. AS near as | can learn until lit
tie over one year ago, no Hereiords had
ever been brought into Washington county.
then obtained one of each kind of this
stock and when about eight weeks old,
they were taken to Mortified. Rev. l.. G..
Bingham, of Williston, owned the sire OF
these calves. The editor of the Cutivator
in the 3D. V,L New Series, says of this en-
terprising gentleman" he has lately pur-
chased of Corning and Sotham some fine
Hereford cattle. The lot consisted of the
imported COW, ISt0n beauty, two yearlng
heieTs, a yearlng bull, and heifer calf
They are animals of excellent qualities, and
we think will prove particularly valuable to
that section of the country. Their vigor-
GUS constitutions will adapt them to the eli
mate and on the sweet pastures of the hills
and mountains, they will easily and quickly
thrive and fatten, while in any fair trials in
the yoke, or for the production of butter,
they will not be found wanting"
This animal of Mr. Bingham's sired a
large number of calves, and it may be truly
said, there is not an Indifferent one among
them. He was sold to Mr.. Clark, of ST.
Adams, upwards Of one year ago-ior 800
and | am informed that he could not be
bought now for $500. His calves in Will
lston were sold when one week old, for So,
and when six months old, many valued them
as high as S25 and $40, even halfbloods.
l mention this to show how this stock is
held where it is known. Their geneaogy
can be traced, it is said, eight hundred
years from old Herefordshire England.
The characteristics of this breed Of cat
tie may be learned from gentleman writing
for the Cultiyalor, Vol. 2, New Series. He
says-"l accepted the polite invitation of
the proprietors to 60 aud view the beautiful
herd of Hereford cattle belonging to Mes
srs Corning O. Sotham at Hereford Hall
about two miles out from Albany. l have
visited this extraordinary herd several times
before, and each successive visit has been
attended with new interest. There are, III
Guiding old and young, about serenity head
OF cattle; and 1t is no dlsparagemcnt to
the most prominent and valuable herds in
the State land have seen the most distin-
guished Of them) to say that ! have seen
nothing that can surpass this noble ssock OF
Herefords. Their rich and beautiful col
or-in most cases deep mahogany red,
their pure white faces, and remarkably
bright and expressive eye, the mild express
sion of their countsnances-their hand
somely curvng horns-their elastic and
sprightly step and majestic bearing, must at
once strike the beholder with pleasing in
terest and enthusiastic admiration; and the
perfect symmetry of the FORM embracing
almost every point of faultless animal
the deep full bosom-the round, compact,
barrel body, the broad hip, and full loins,
the short and sinewy arm, neatly taperlng
below the knee, the brisket boldly proml-
nent, and dewlap well cut up under the
throat, the graceful neck even with the line
of the back, and in some instances finely
arching with upright and delicately turned
horDs-and in almost every respect, they
furnish perfect beau ideal of animal beau
ty, such as it must do any man good to
look at"
Speaking of Cay" favorite COW, he
says, "she is certainly Il noble animal, pos
sessing the purest of the "royal blood Of
the " royal family" of Herretords, and cosj
in England, as | am informed, some two
or three years since, 200 guineas, or $1,000
which added to her expense Of importation
makes her stand high, at least in the esti
nation of her spirited importers, and is ;
pretty good evidence of her real WORTH
"Major," the grand sire of Don Quix
otte" (and of which animal Mr.. II. c. Pc
tiers, writing from London, said there II
no better ia England; aud, is no disparage
ment 10 our best breeders to say that he ha
not his superior in the Union) was purcha
sed in England in 1871. by Messrs. Corn
ing g. Sotham for 400 guineas, (or $4,000
but died on the passage 10 this country
They were fortunate however in securing
one of his progeny"
1t is said that while crossing the Atlantic
there came on terrible storm-the cows
were handled very well, being slung up II
hummelshine, Major" was so fat an'
unwieldly they could do nothing with hin
and that he died in his great exertlons Il
keep his standing upon the ships deck.
As to the Dairy properties OF this bree'
) of cattle, they have in some cases takeI
the premium. W. +. Hobbs Esq celc
brated breeder of cattle, at the annual NEE
ting of the East Essex Agricultural Socie
~, Oct. IL, lS43, said
:" When he first became farmer, he wa
|. determined to have good breed of cattle
He first tried Short Horn Durhams, becaus
he thought they we're the best; and at
sale in Suffolk, he purchased several, bette
than which could not be obtained. lie a
SO purchased some Herrefords and keT
: them together for twelve months, and III
result was most decidedly in favor of II