154 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



successful competitor on the field, though, if other things be 

 equal, he first deserves a premium, but he is apt to prove, in 

 the long run, the most profitable workman in his department, 

 to be employed on the farm. 



We observed here the same conditions which are commonly 

 attached to premiums for ploughing, — that the ploughmen and 

 drivers shall have been residents in the county at least three 

 months previous to the exhibition. We would add to this 

 another condition, — that the competitors shall have been owners 

 of the plough in use for a similar or some sufficient length 

 of time. We are aware of the differences of opinion on this 

 point, but have seen no reason to doubt that perfect fairness 

 in the contest demands such a condition. We know that much 

 dissatisfaction, and sometimes injurious consequences to the 

 society have resulted from the opposite course. 



From the ploughing match we passed to observe the well- 

 filled pens, containing cattle, horses, sheep and swine of various 

 breeds, and presenting, as a whole, an exhibition creditable to 

 the society, but not equal to those of some former years. We 

 were gratified to observe the encouragement afforded here to 

 the raising of the best neat stock of native and grade, as well 

 as foreign breeds, — believing as we do, that they are best suited 

 to our pastures and our climate, and with equal care, will 

 yield better returns in the products of the dairy, and in meat 

 for the stalls. A good herd of twenty-five milch cows from one 

 farm were arranged together in the same division of the pens. 

 We were struck with their appearance, as affording a good 

 indication of what many dairy farms in the county might prob- 

 ably have added to the exhibition. And we recommend the 

 offering of herd premiums, which may have the effect to bring 

 to the exhibition annually large collections of the best milch 

 cows. 



Much attention seems to be given here to the raising of the 

 horse, — not, we presume, merely for the road or the turf, but 

 for solid farm work. The former object is indeed worthy 

 of encouragement, and falls within the legitimate purposes 

 of agricultural societies. But the danger is, that the latter 

 will be made to yield precedence to it, and that a reputation 

 for speed will become the principal value of a horse. Such a 



