To the care and development of this estate his time and energies were devoted, and under his skillful management the '"Mount Fordham " farm became known far and wide, and his name was justly ranked as foremost among the agriculturists of the State. His attention was early called to the necessity and advantage of improving the various breeds of domestic animals. With this end in view, he made repeated visits to Europe, at first in company with Mr. N. J. Becar, forming the acquaintance of the leading agriculturists of Great Britain, and returning to this country, brought with him the finest specimens of live-stock to be purchased in England. The rare value of his imported animals was quickly koown, and the public and private sales at Mount Fordham, which began in 1848 and continued for many years, were noted events and brought purchasers from every portion of the country, and cattle from this farm were sent to

' The sketch of the Morris family was prepared by a friend.

MORRISANIA.

every State in the Union, and also to Canada, Cuba and the Sandwich Islands.

So greatly did these herds improve, on this side of the Atlantic, that the owners of large estates in England sent agents who purchased at fabulous prices, and carried back to the Old World the descendants of animals which Mr. Morris originally selected and which had been so lately exported from their own shores. It is safe to say that the increased value of live-stock in this couutrv, which is directly attributable to the various importations made by Mr. Morris, must be estimated by millions.