ANDROSCOGGIN COUNTY SOCIETY. 



The Annual Exhibition of this Society was held at Lewiston on 

 the 4th to 7th of October, and was a very creditable one. A larger 

 proportion than I expected to find, of the stock shown, bore evidence 

 of high breeding and general success in management. Unless 

 greatly mistaken, there has been very decided improvement in the 

 domestic animals of this county within a few years past, and the in- 

 terest evidently manifested augurs well for the future. 



The Devons were out in considerable numbers, and attracted no- 

 tice at once. Their symmetrical forms, beautiful and uniform color 

 and known good qualities, win favor with all to whom great size 

 seems of less consequence than hardihood, general adaptation to our 

 wants, and profit in rearing. 



The Herefords which are rather larger and about as good in most 

 other respects, (dairy use excepted,) were present, but in less num- 

 bers ; probably few if any of them were thorough bred, although the 

 greater number were distinctly recognizable at a glance as partaking 

 of the blood. There were also, as usual at our shows, cattle of various 

 grades and of common or mixed blood; and here I may be allowed 

 to remark, that size appears to have more consideration accorded to 

 it usually, than would be the case if more correct views prevailed, 

 as the value of an animal depends not so much on large size as upon 

 the profit it may yield : and unless pastures and fields are rich and 

 the climate warm, very large cattle have even proved less profitable 

 than those of a size adapted to their capacity for feeding. 



There is also another point upon which a remark may not be out of 

 place here. I allude to the practice of many agricultural societies in 

 offering premiums, to make no distinction between breeding animals 

 which may simply please the eye of the judges, and such as are likely 

 to impress upon their progeny desirable qualities; or in other words. 



