No. 112.] 161 



We have encouragement then in this department for renewed 

 eiforts to stimulate our dairymen to increase their efforts not 

 only in ihe methods of manufacture of butter and cheese, but 

 also to more care in the selection of animals that will not only 

 give the largest yield, but also the finest quality of the products 

 of the dairy. 



Cheese. 



The number of competitors on cheese was much larger than on 

 butter, but it is a matter of regret that the liberal offers of the 

 Society for county and town premiums only elicited competition 

 from two counties and two towns. It is probable that the prac- 

 tice of selling the dairies to agents from the cities on the sea 

 board, who remove much of the cheese as soon as it is sufficiently 

 cured to transport to market, is one of the main reasons of this 

 want of competition ; and although it is very desirable that sam- 

 ples of our best dairies should be exhibited insufficient quantities 

 to give a fair criterion to judge of the excellence of our dairies, 

 still, if the liberal premiums offered will not secure this, some 

 other disposition of the amount appropriated for this purpose 

 may be deemed advisable. 



The very able committee on cheese, consisting of John A. Sher- 

 man, of Jefferson c.»unty ; Abraham W. Leggett, New-York ; C. 

 L. Kiersteed, Greene county; Lyman H. Babbitt, Wyoming Co., 

 reported. That they examined fifty- tight samples in their 

 respective classes. 



County Premiums. — The committee regret to report that the 

 competition f«»r the very liberal premium offered to the difft-rent 

 counties throiigli the State was so small, two counties only having 

 competed for the j)iize, viz., Leuis and Jifftrson. 



The six dairies from Jefferson were on the ground the first day, 

 according to the requisitions of the Society. 



The competitors from Lewis were also on the ground at an 

 early -hour, but not fully understanding ihe re(|uirements, only 

 .ap[)pared witli two cheeses from the difft rent dairies; but, with 

 most commendable zeal they immediately sent to the different 



[Ajf. Tr. v>3l L, 



