436 WISCONSIN AGEICULTUEE. 



for tlie judges" might be deemed applicable." They (the judges) 

 are expressly required not to give encouragement to over-fed 

 animals, especially in the breeding classes ; no premiums are to 

 be awarded to bulls, cows, or heifers, which shall appear to have 

 been fattened for the butcher," &c. In one instance we, (the 

 committee) followed out these instructions faithfully ; for which 

 due credit is claimed, and will undoubtedly be given. The 

 above "instructions" respecting "over-fed animals" are generally 

 considered as Yery judicious ; but, judges find them rather diflS.- 

 cult of application ; especially as they often conflict, not with 

 the opinion of cattle exhibitors, but, with public opinion as 

 manifested by the visitors, a large portion of whom -are ladies, 

 whose highly cultivated tastes, and correct appreciation of the 

 beautiful, bestow unqualified admiration upon those animals 

 which the judges are instructed to discourage. 



It is a generally conceded fact that high feeding of breeding 

 animals whether male or female, is not only injurious to them 

 individually, but that it exercises a deleterious effect upon their 

 ofispring. Not only so, but if usage make it necessary for ex- 

 hibitors to make up their animals for show, it will entail an ex- 

 pense, with which, our present premium list will be totally in- 

 commensurate. Such appears to be the opinion of practical 

 men as manifested by the majority of exhibitors at the late fair. 

 Such the theory of our society as set forth in "the instructions." 

 And such, it might have been presumed the decision of your 

 committee as made known through their awards. On this last 

 head, however, it becometh not this deponent to testify. 



As a set-off to those few animals above referred to, there were 

 on exhibition two or three others thin enough of flesh to satisfy 

 even a legal advocate for the instructions; and complimentary 

 enough for the most egotistic and dignified judge ; too poor 

 either for the honor or profit of the owner — for their own thrift, 

 or the credit of their breed. Durham cattle Avere largely repre- 

 sented ; especially in the class of aged bulls and cows, and of a 

 superior quality. They were so generally excellent that it was 

 a matter of extreme difficulty for your committee to make satis- 

 factory awards. In speaking of animals so generally meritori- 



