Rutland weekly herald. [volume] (Rutland, Vt.) 1859-1877, 1873-05-01
Reported for THE HERALD
brandon Farmers and Mechanics
Club.

This club held their regular weekly
meeting last Friday evening, ana dls-
cussed the question as to what breed OF
mixed breeds of cattle are most useful
for all purposes in Vermont.
Mr.. Sumner opened the subject by
giving some valuable statistics showing
that Vermont took the lead of all the
New England States in raising the best
and largest number of cattle, and also
giving the total incomes from butter and
cheese, and also beef cattle in this State.
He stated that about one-quarter or one
fifth of the total income from cattle
raising in the State came from beef cat
tie. and in view of this fact it was his
opinion that in the selection of stock
most suitable and profitable for our soil
and climate, we should not fail to con-
slider that breed which has good beef
producing qualities That breed of cat
tie which was good for both milk and
beef, it appeared to him, was more
profitable and better than that which
was pre-eminently good for one and poor
for the other.
Mr.. Winslow, following, differed from
the first speaker in that he believed the
milking qualities of the animal should
alone be considered. He stated some OF
his observations and experience, and con-
cluded by expressing himself decidedly
in favor of the Attorney breed, this ex-
ceiling in its milking and butter-pro-
ducing qualities and often making from
IL to 10 pounds of butter per week for
the summer season.
Mr.. Sprague, being the next speaker,
stated that he had visited the finest herds
of cattle in this State, Massachusetts,
Kentucky and other States, for the pur-
pose of selecting the best breed for max
ing butter and cheese, and as result OF
his observations and experience, he con-
cluded the Ayrshires were by far the
best for our soil and climate, being both
hardy and superior for milking qualities.
The Durham breed he thought good, but
inferior to the Ayrshires for milk, and
TIC LAiNlCl "CAI hOb AsAAA1 NAAOhS5h
for our Vermont climate, and, in cor
roboration of his position, he read quite
at length and with much interest to the
club from an author whom he considered
as authority upon the subject. Mr.. s.
has few of the Ayrshire breed on his
farms, and he states that in few years
he expects to show the best herd of cat
tie ever raised in Vermont.
The discussion was further continued
with interest by Messrs. Griswold,
Barnes, June and others. Some thought
the climate had not much to do with the
raising of good cattle, but that feed was
all that was necessary pastures
producing good cattle, whatever the
breed. One speaker stated that the Al
derney cows were peculiarly good for
making large quantities of butter and
giving it good color, but there being a
lack of casein in the milk, it was not
good for making cheese. Two or three
Attorney cows in dairy were thought
very desirable for giving coloring matter.
The meeting was well attended and all
seemed interested, and | think all were
profited by receiving new ideas.
The question for consideration at the
next meeting is ''Would not young men,
educated for the farm, make greater at
tainments-physically, morally and in
tellectually-than in any other pursuit p
Brandon, April 26 O.