76 [Senate 



unworthy of distinction. The owners, therefore, of young stock 

 adjudged the premiums, must not be too confident in the superiority 

 of their young animals, because that at this exhibition they were 

 distinguished ; for it is possible, that at the next, and succeeding 

 shows, their positions may be reversed. While, therefore, the suc- 

 cessful competitors have but a doubtful triumph, the disappointed 

 need have no certain cause to infer, that because their calves were 

 not awarded premiums, they will not, when they come of age, repay 

 the care and attention requisite to their rearing. While the commit- 

 tee would encourage the practice of a kind and fostering care to all 

 young stock, they cannot but condemn the over feeding and fattening 

 young cattle, intended for breeding and milking. Nothing can be 

 more fatal to the vigor, health, and constitution of the matured ani- 

 mal, w'hether cow or bull, than a gross and over fed condition while 

 young and growing. 



Before closing this report, the committee would with all deference, 

 venture a remark upon the practice of holding out to the owners of 

 cattle, the same amount of premium for the production of the best, 

 of the most worthless class, that is offered to him who imports or 

 breeds, the most valuable and profitable stock. It seems to the com- 

 mittee, that to carry out the general principle of promoting every 

 branch of the agriculture of the country, that the society should en- 

 courage the best and most profitable breeds, by a judicious and 

 salutary discrimination, in adjusting the premiums to their excellence 

 and intrinsic merits. And on the other hand, to discourage or 

 diminish the unprofitable herds that still so generally prevail, by a 

 scale of premiums proportioned to their value. But while the socie- 

 ty make no distinction in their premiums, by placing all cattle on a 

 par, it cannot surprise, that the unenlightened and apathetic cling to 

 their prejudices, and look upon every effort and enterprise in the im- 

 provement of stock, as money and time thrown away upon a foolish 

 and absurd innovation of an over-improving age. In accordance 

 with these views, the committee take leave to oflfer the following 

 resolution : 



Resolved, That to encourage the production of the most superior 

 and profitable breeds of cattle, the premiums in future should be 

 adjusted on a scale proportioned to the excellence and merits of each 

 respective breed. 



All which is respectfully submitted. 



JAMES GOWEN, 



Uiica, 18th September, 1845. 



THOS. HOLLIS,' 

 CHARLES BATHGATE Jr. 



Classes II. III. IV. 



The committee appointed by the New-York State Agricultural So- 

 ciety to examine and award premiums in Classes second, third and 

 fourth, of cattle, have, after careful and repeated examinations, made 

 the following awards, to wit : 



