204 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



there is just as little need of writing an essay upon such topics. 

 But with regard to many classes of articles exhibited, — to animals, 

 dairy products, fruits, farm operations, like plowing and others, — 

 which come before awarding committees, it is altogether probable 

 that the members composing them are possessed of some facts which 

 they have acquired by experience, observation or research, and 

 which, if incorporated into their reports as prefatory or concluding 

 remarks, would be the means of diifusing a great deal of valuable 

 knowledge, and would render such documents vastly more useful 

 than simple lists of awards which can have only a local and personal 

 interest. Opportunities may not often occur to make such a state- 

 ment regarding any individual animal, as would be of great interest 

 to those who could not also examine the animal itself; but the 

 committees, having both the animals and the various statements 

 before them, may and should give the public in their reports all the 

 facts and conclusions which may be dei'ived from the examination 

 and comparison. The simple award of a first premium to Mr. A.'s 

 bull over Mr. B.'s, will enlighten the public very little upon their 

 relative merits or faults, or give any clue to the reasons why or the 

 way in which they may rear an animal like Mr. A.'s or avoid one 

 like Mr. B.'s, nor will it give any information as to the peculiar 

 fitness of one breed over another for the shambles, for labor, for the 

 dairy, or for anything else. 



It cannot be reasonably expected that a valuable report can be 

 written in a half hour, filled with the bustle and noise of exhibition 

 day ; it must require time and quiet ; but as committee men are 

 aware of their appointment beforehand, they may, if they will, occui^y 

 some previous leisure in thought, research and examination of the 

 subject, and in writing out general remarks connected with it, and 

 finish up their work subsequently to the show, and such occupation 

 would not only result in valuable contributions to our agricultural 

 literature, but the labor would be abundantly repaid to themselves 

 in a deeper interest and more enlightened and thorough understand- 

 ing of a subject intimately connected with their profession. 



The sessions of the Board of Agriculture are necessarily so short, 

 and only one being provided for during the year, it seems desirable 

 that means be taken, not only to secure the full occupation of the 

 time spent together, in the most profitable manner, but, if possible, 



