cumberland county society. 53 



Farm Improvements. 



The Committee on General Farm Improvements, for the second 

 term, present the following as a first report, and submit it to your 

 action : 



"A vacancy having occurred in the Committee by the resignation 

 of Mr. Edward G. Buxton, it was filled on the 21st of June by the 

 appointment of John F. Anderson of South Windham. The mem- 

 bers then immediately came together to arrange their course of 

 action. 



After a careful review of the reported outline, labor, and results 

 of the forn;er committee, it was determined to adopt, as the only 

 proper basis for the awards of 1861, the same rule which governed 

 the action of that committee, and which was published in their report 

 of 1858, namely: — "The improvement must have been wise in its 

 inception ; thoroughly and economically performed, and productive 

 of palpably good results in its completion — an improvement which 

 others in like circumstances may safely follow." 



But while adopting the same groundwork, at the same time, freely 

 and heartily according to that committee the first place in ability, 

 and acknowledging their greater experience, we, in the legitimate 

 exercise of our own discretion and judgment, having given to their 

 decision upon a contested point the thoughtful attention due, not 

 less to the question itself than to the deliberate act of those whose 

 intention was fair, have arrived at a different conclusion. 



In the award of premiums last year, advancement in live stock, 

 although it was admitted to be one of the essential parts of farm 

 improvements, received no consideration. The first committee say 

 (report of 1858, p. 37) that they "believe no class of improvement 

 is more worthy the careful attention of farmers, or will pay better 

 on the cost than this" — still, it was argued, these premiums being 

 ^^ additional to those which had been already oflFered by the Society 

 * * * the committee have decided to admit alt those improve- 

 ments, and only those which from the necessity of the case cannot 

 be exhibited at the Annual Fairs of the Society ; such as are enu- 

 merated in the circular, and those of a kindred character; and for 

 which premiums are not elsewhere offered." 



The members of the present committee cannot perceive that it is 

 possible for improvemetit in live stock to be recognized at the 



