Oxford Democrat. [volume] (Paris, Me.) 1833-1933, 1870-10-07
agricultural
The Best Dairy C0,cs.


amount Oi buttCi atiV NhOOSV ~ -
amount of money invested. But our
native stock can hardly be called breed
Webster says the word breed signifies "a
race or progeny from the same parents or
stock. 10 which might be added race oil
animals capable of transmitting from
generation to generation, with good
degree OF certainty, their own peculiar
traits and qualities: such, for instance, as
size, form, color. habits. disposition, ana
inclination.
Our native cattle differ widely from all
other natives on the globe, and tor all
purposes are greatly superior to any other
native race.
The Europeans who first settled this
country by founding colonies IN different
parts of il, most OF which finally grew
into States, brought with them some oil
the animals OF all the different choice
breeds then known in Europe. And, as
a worthless animal would not pay trans
portation. some OF the very best were
brought here. These being mixed with
those since imported, have given usa race
OF neat cattle which j found good Tor
beet. work, cheese and butter.
And although in this miugling OF so
many different breeds the identity of zach
is lost. vet some OF the most desirable
Qualities OF each breed are 20 be found in
almost every dairy in the land
Hence, il ali the choice breeds OF cattle
We now have. were obtained from native
stock inferior to ours, by selecting the
best animals to breed from, in order to
attain a certain object how very easy II
would be for American dairymen, with
the skill most of them possess, and the
ad .ance already made, to produce q breed
for the dairy superior to any now in
existence.
The fact is well known, and almost I'M
iyersally admitted, that We may take
animals of any kind, and breed them for
q particular object, and can attain that
object.
We may take the very best type of the
horse, (that i for all work, and can breed
Tor speed, until We &C; a 10 horse good
for nothing but speed.
From sheep, breeds have been pro-
duced with wool almost IS fine a. silk, OF
for mutton. rs tat as butter. or Tor long
wool, until the wool grows so long that
we could hardly find the end OF Il.
So, too, of swine, as We may see all the
Way from the loug-nosed, long-lcged,
gaunt Ohio hog, up 10 the best breeds.
Fowls also have been changed by
breeding. a. the Shanghai aud Bantum
indicate.
In breeding for the dairy certain objects
should be kept in view, such as the
climate. productiyeness OF the soil,roush-
ness of the pasture lands where the herd
must obtain their living during the sum-
mer; if for butter, the richness Of the
milk if for cheese, the amour. Of casein,
the hardness Of the stock. etc.
Some oEthe choice breeds of Europe
have so far deteriorated. when removed
from their native soil and climate, IL TO
render them OF little value. while others,
when removed to more genial climate
and soil, have improved very little.
Hence, to bring dairy COW up TO her
highest point OF usefulness, she must be-
come acclimated; second, she must be
come acquainted with the pastures where
sec feeds, and with the herd with which
she runs. in addition to her natural abili-
" - change The food she eats into large
quantity and good quality of milk.
Therefore, Tor cheese dairy, having
herd of good native COWS TO stock with,
if my pasture lands were very rough, or
not very productive, rendering il ueccs-
sary ioI the herd 10 travel considerable
distance over uneven land to obtain
sufficient quantity Of food, l would pro-
cure a thoroughbred Ayrshire bull, from
n good milking family, to breed from,
and select my calves TO raise from the
very best mixers in the herd; raising a
sufficient number each year TO supply the
decrease from old age, death, and &C
cident
The grade Ayrshire breed. as above
suggested. seldom fail of making good
mixers, are hardy. energetic race OF
cows, capable Of getting as good a living
from rough lands and poor pastures as
any other race. readily acclimate them
selves TO the climate in this latitude
(43o 7min. North, and are very seldom
sick; in fact, always able TO eat their full
amount of rations, and not so very par.
ticular in regard to its quality.
For butter dairy in the same latitude,
and under like circumstances. would as
soon have grade Deyons as grade
Ayrshires bred in the same way. Ny
experience with DeyonS, although lin.
tied, has very strongly impressed me in
their favor, for the following reasons
First never owned grade Devon
that was an inferior COW for the cheese
dairy.
Second-They have all. for butter
making, been superior.
Third-Thcy are good to milk, all hav-
ing good sized teats,-no small item
when so much milking is TO DO accom-
plished twice day.
Fourth They are good looking But