Orleans independent standard. [volume] (Irasburgh, Vt.) 1856-1871, 1869-10-26
House, Farm and Garden.
L. d. X. COLLINS, Editor.
Different Breeds of Cattle.


Every farmer has his favorite kind ofstock.
Preference leads different individuals in
exactly opposite directions, and it is not
more remarkable that this is so in the case
of stock than in other important interests.
1t is natural for mankind to differ, and in
proportion to the magnitude of this differ
ence, improvement, to some extent, may |
be reckoned. If men were Of one opinion
in respect to all the leading topics of the
day, apathy and shiftlessness would char
acterize every undertaking. If farmers
generally were in favor of breeding the |
Durhams or the Devons, the Attorneys or
the Ayrshires, or any other one breed to !
the exclusion Of all others, it is quite prob |
able that less interest would be manifested
in the matter of stock raising. All these
various breeds have superiorities, and all
have imperfections also. In some the
milking qualities predominant; in others,
adaptation for work or for beef is a pre-
vailing feature; but in every instance the
value of any of the various breeds depends
upon what is wanted of them. 1t would
be useless to attempt to get fine OK from
the Alderneys or a large one from the Dew
ons, yet these objections are far from prov
ing that either Of these varieties OF stock
is lily adapted to the wants of certain far
mers.
Other men are loud in their praise Of
the Durhams, and in our opinion, where a
class of cattle is wanted with no particular
object in view-such as work, butter or
beef-this is the kind to be encouraged by
stock raisers, in preference to any others
that have been bred to any extent in this
vicinity besides, when these three quail
tiles are to be combined in one animal, in
the greatest perfection the Durhams certain
" are entitled to preference, for they are
| larger and take on flesh more readily than
any other breed, quick and powerful work
ers, and with good degree Of care in
breeding, the best of mixers.
The opinion, however, is subject to cx-
ceptions; to be altogether successful in
raising stock of this blood, large corn
crib is highly essential, and great care and
discretion must be exercised in feeding.
While they thrive readily with care, still
they suffer from neglect more than any
other breed of cattle. a dry pasture or a
stingy and irregular feeder Will convert a
most praiseworthy Durham into an I'M
slightly object Ifthere is any pleasure in
doing ''big things" well, we cannot con
ceive of any instance where this faculty of
the farmer could be more fully satisfied
than in raising a pair Of steers like those
at our late fair, exhibited by \. o. & J.
Bemis of Lyndon, which weighed 3 cwt,
at the age Of four years, yet, they would be
too large change" for small farmers.
But, as far as profit alone is concerned,
there is less difference in the various breeds
of cattle than in the different cattle of the
same breed. 4 given amount of hay and
grain will make about the same quantity
of beef or mutton, on condition that it be
fed to cattle Of good style. This is impor-
, tant
The chief object of this article is to cal
: attention to the Ayrshires which are jus
: now being introduced into this section
, The farmers Of Caledonia county have
r seen, at our fair, exhibitions Of them, mad,
by the Fairbanks, J. Higgins 4 Sons, anC
a A. J. Willard. Their reputation rs milk
0 ers is established, and, from the appear
0 ance Of the few shown it would seem tina
= this now favorite breed in some parts o
Canada and the New England states,
destined to take the lead among the gen
erality of farmers. The best mixers in tn
n world have been obtained by cross be
o tween the DurInms and the Ayrshires, bu
+ we believe in thoroughbreds, for in thi
: way the farmer can fashion his stock to hi
5 will at all events it is hoped that the mel
d Its of thoroughbred Ayrshires viii be tull
e and carefully tested by farmers in our cour
e ty, for they seem to be possessed of yer
u many.-& JohasJry Times.