Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1870-01-07
American Devon Herd Book.

ESQ, of South wilbrAham, Mass, copy of the
American Devon Herd Book Of which he is edi-
tor There are ll5S pedgrees.
We have endeavored to keep the run of this beau
tiful breed, or rather race, for we believe it is
the concurrent testimony Of cattle men Of good
repute that the Devons are a race by themselves,
and not breed made up by the skill Of man
like the other popular breeds Of the present day
and vet we confess to no little surprise that there
are so many registered herds in this country.
True, we have seen them at most Of the popular
fairs, and we have all along known that such
exact experimenters and careful farmers as
Lieut-Gov E. II. Hyde of Connecticut, J. +. An
derson of Maine, and many others still insist that
they are the most economical Of all the bovine
races for general purposes.
The one great objection to them is the want Of
size, but the general tendency Of the times is to-
ward the adoption Of medium sized or small ami
mails for general purposes, especially among the
billy pastures Of New England. Among exclu-
siyey dairy farmers the Devons are not generally
popular yet where they have been selected and
bred for that purpose, it Is claimed that they
are not inferior to any others. The great qUes-
ton among dairy farmers IS not what animals
will produce the most in the abstract, but which
will produce the most in proportion to the cost
Of keeping them. P NJ. Augur Of Middlohell,
Conn, says, " Thoroughbred Deyols are the
best cows ! have ever hal for butter making. 3"
He tells of Devon grade that produced twenty
one pounds Of butter week. The venerable J.
n. Blakeslee Of WATERFOWL, Conn, says Now
| DO claim that the three qualities sought for
have been bred into that race Of cattle. be
lieve that for working qualities and for milking,
they will equal any others and it is conceded
that their meat will excel, though they 60 not
grow as large as the Durham. No stock is har-
der The first COW brought into the county
had three calves after she was twenty years old,
ami the first bull when he was seventeen years
old was put into the stable and bred from. !
have seen one Of these cattle across whose back
three half bushels would stand side by side.
There is no perfect animal on the face Of the
earth, but we must try to breed in the
hes; Qualities - Lieut. Gov. Hyde says, 81 have
found It matter Of necessity to breed Deyous.
It is the only breed that can be sustained upon
half the land Of Connecticut" On being asked
his opinion Of Attorneys he said -" 1t is out Of
place for me to speak Of Attorneys. am a De
Won man out and out. have had some little
experience with Attorneys and Durhams, be
gun with Durhams, but those who know ny 10
cAlity, know THAI | have nothing 10 support
Durhams on. then went into Ayshires, the
stock Of Mr.. Holmes of " uiham, and Randall
Of New Bedford They soon run out I then
bought Deyons aud found them peculiarly adapt-
el 20 my locality. have a few Ayrshires left.
keep a few Attorneys, and corroborate all that
has been said in regard to the quality Of their
butter They are not large mixers, but the
milk is excessively ri,h,-;oo rich for my taste
The butter OF pure Attorneys Is quite objection
able to me and my family. Il male Attorney
butter should sell it, | think Devon butter is
best in quality. The Deyons We do not consider
great mixers, but in quality l think they are
next TO the Attorney. have one thoroughbred
Devon that made two and a quarter lbs. OF but
ter day, in the height of the season.
The Deyons are not kept in any considerable
numbers in this state, Hon. H. ". Hall Of
Burke, Mr.. Davis Of East Montpelier, aal Nessrs
Davis and Son Of Windsor being the only breed
ers Of pure animals that we at this time remem-
Der having met. There are said to De several
pure bred Deyoas in this county, however. In
Maine they rank among the most popular ami
mails, and are largely disseminated.
1t is to be confessed that breeding. Ike every
thing else a farmer does, Is considerably influenced
by fashion, and not sufficiently by actual tess
of relative merits; and although We hardly expect
it, yet We shall not be surprised 70 see Devons
again become fashionable with Us, AMI al viii
conceie that go far as looks 60 they have the
very highest claim upon US.
Ii is the intention Of the committee to issue
another volume Of the Devon Herd Book at AZ
early day, and We advise all breeders OF pure
stock to have it registered Peiigrees may be
sent to Mr.. Sessions as above. accompanied by
the registration fee Of one dollar.
AMERICAN Ayrshire HERD BOOK.
We desire to call attention to the fact that the
third volume Of the Ayrshire Herd Book Is in
course Of preparation. Peiigrees may be sent
to J. y. Bagg editor, West Springfield, Mass, or
breeders may confer with Mr.. Bagg personally
at the Dairymen's meeting, at ST. Adams, Jan
20Jh, 1870.