DAIRY STOCK. 317 



inquiries propounded in the forms for the returns. In respect 

 to the period for which the cows were dry, for instance, while 

 6ome have set down the dates of their becoming dry, and of 

 their subsequent calving, others have given but a single date, 

 as December 1, or the last of January, when all their cows 

 were dried ; while others, Avithout dates, have stated the length 

 of time in which their cows were not in milk. From such data, 

 so far as the committee could form an opinion, it appears, that 

 the average period in which the cows were out of milk, has 

 been about two months, and on recurring, in this connection, to 

 the mode of feeding, it is made obvious as a general truth, that 

 tlie best kept animals go dry the shortest time. 



As to " grooming " the cattle, which Avas made a subject of 

 inquiry by the trustees, we have nothing in reply. The use of 

 tlie card, the curry-comb and the brush, is not even mentioned, 

 except by Mr. Knight, who only states, that " from the 1st of 

 March, his cows were carded once a day." Nor is any thing 

 said of litter for the cows in the stalls, that they may lie at their 

 ease, and be kept dry and clean. Now the committee believe 

 that there may be a judicious and profitable application of the 

 card and curry-comb and brush, daily, and as to littering cows 

 in the stable, if there were dairy maids in the land as there 

 once were, and they did the milking as was done in the good 

 olden times of domestic industry and frugality, the practice 

 could not be neglected. In other particulars, the interrogato- 

 ries are either entirely disregarded or the answers are so general 

 and vague as to convey but little information. In these respects 

 the committee cannot but lament, that the proffered liberality 

 of the trustees has been so fruitless of anticipated results, and 

 that the exliibition, with all that has been attractive in the 

 appearance of the stock, will still leave us without that instruc- 

 tion Avhich would direct to its most profitable selection and use. 



But however barren and unsatisfactory may have been the 

 written communications of the competitors, the exhibition of 

 these animals in the pens has not been without its gratifications. 

 The cattle have spoken better things for themselves than the 

 credit given them by the written statements of their owners. 

 In general, the cows were noble looking creatures, showing 

 much beauty of form, good size, and the best points in milking 

 qualities. Mr. Ellsworth's six Durham grade cows were espe- 



