The Middlebury register. [volume] (Middlebury, Vt.) 1850-1882, 1872-05-28
agricultural department.

From the Vermont Farmer.
What Breed Of Cattle Shalt we Raise
n Paper read Jctore the MEETING of III,
State Board Of Agriculture, al 81
AlbanS, March /, 1872, By AUer,
Chapman, Esq, Of Middlebury,
Continued from last week.
nEEEroRps.
The greatest rival of the Shorthorr
among the English graziers is the Here.
ford, one Of the old sst races Of that coun.
try, whose uniformity of color, size and
shape, is much closer and more fixed than
the former. With nearly equal size, re.
markable symmetry, Thrift and early ap.
ritude for laying on flesh quickly on the
most valuable parts, he deservedly ranks
high on the lists at the English markets
shows aud shambles. In this country he
has never attained so great popularity as
in his E gish home. A part of this
failure here is due perhaps to the inju.
dicious claims made by the introducers
Of this breed for the COWS, as good for
the dairy. Expectations thus raised have
proved disappointments. As producers
of most excellent beef they are probably
more hard, and perhaps more profitable
than the Shorthorns, though it cannot be
denied they have failed to make them
selves as great favorites with our Amer
lean breeders.
Our mixed husbandry demands at
least fair mixers, While the Shorthorns
answer these moderate expectations, the
Herefords seldom satisfy those who cx-
pect profitable animals for the dairy.
HoLsrEINs.
The Dutch cattle. or as l believe it is
settled they are to be called the "Hols-
telns," are of large size and remarkable
color, clear white and black, in large
belts around the body. The admirers Of
this breed claim for them extraordinary
milking capacities, but have not heard
any claims for them on the score of quail
ity, or capacity to make large amounts
OF butter and Judged by the same rules
that we apply to other breeds, they evil
IDENTIFY cannot furnish milk rich in cream,
and by the same standards they would be
likely to give large flow of milk for a
comparatively short time, but would not
be likely to continue the same through
80 long u season as some other breeds
My opinion Of these cattle is formed from
observation only, as | have never had any
Al e.
experience with others we may Judge
somewhat Of their probable fitness for
Vermont, and judged by that standard
we cannot think that cattle of their size
and make can prove as profitable as "a
liner boDed, more compact and conse-
quently an easier kept and more hardy
race.
OF all the herds of these cattle we
have seen, those of Mr. Thos. Baker, OF
Barton, come nearest the mark Of good
dairy stock and from their size, build
and general qualities, better adapted to
Vermont than any we have seen. Hav-
ing been longer imported and kept in
this climate, they are probably better fit.
ted for it and as all animals are incin-
ed to yield to climatic influences and sur.
roundings, they have no doubt become
somewhat distinct, improved, and better
adapted to Vermont than the later i'm
portations, without losing the purity of
their blood.
Among all the races Of cattle, none
are so beautiful as the Devons, none are
more hardy, and none make as beautiful,
lively working oxen, or are as iractable,
taking to the yoke readily and perform
ing their work with great aacrity.
Though much less in size than the Short
horns and Herefords, they are equally as
good feeders, and for short pastures much
more profitable than either. Had they
proved as profitable for the dairy as they
are superior in other respects named they
would have been the most popular race
of cattle for New England.
There is much variance among the
breeders Of Devons themselves as to their
qualities for the dairy. Messrs. Turner
and Quartiy, in England, and Mr.. VAIN
wright OF this country, three of the most
celebrated breeders, discaim any superb
or qualifications in this respect, while
Mr.. Bloomfield, in England, with the
late Messrs. Patterson. of Maryland, and
Hurlburt of Connecticut, as well as Mr..
Hyde OF the same state, and others. claim
them as producing mixers equal TO any
other breed. However firm these gentle
men may be in their belief, they have
failed to inspire like confidence in their
faith among the farmers of this country,
and think it cannot be denied that the
popularity Of this beautiful race is mani.
testify on the decline. Their extreme har.
diness, excellent qualities for the yoke,
and the readiness with which they fatten
into an excellent quality of beef at q
comparatively low cost, entities them to
consideration, but they cannot be ranked
high for the dairy. had charge of one
OF the finest herds of Devons 10 the Unit.
ed States for a number of years, on a
farm where was also kept herd of Jer.
seys. This herd of Devons combined
some OF the finest animals, direct from
the herds of Quartly, Turner and Bloom.
field, in England, and from those of Pat.
terson and Wainwright in this country
Among these and their descendants, were
many successful prize takers at state and
national shows in this country, and some
III England. Some of these from the
herds OF Bloomfield and Patterson were
selected for their breeding and prospec,
for the dairy, as the most promising a
mong this breed, but the result of a tria
Of them as dairy COWS was unsatisfactory
Although some approached fair aver
age, none excelled, while large MAORI
ty were indifferent to very poor mixers
In trials as to the richness of milk ,onC
produced pound of butter from 10 l..
quarts Of milk, but she had been piyin,