92 MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURE. 



in other parts of the county for procuring fine blood stock, 

 have hitherto operated to prevent the exhibition of many 

 animals that were really of superior character. An arrange- 

 ment has now been made in the regulations of the society, by 

 which we trust farmers remote from the show grounds, will 

 feel encouraged to exhibit their stock with more freedom, and 

 at the same time, — be enabled to derive benefit from a compari- 

 son of their own with other animals. If they do not always 

 obtain premiums, — and the way is open for that to all alike, — 

 yet will they receive a portion of their expenses ; and, in addi- 

 tion, all the benefit which others derive from the exhibition. 

 And we believe that whoever exhibits his crops or stock, or 

 any fruit of his skill or industry, at our annual fair, receives, 

 or may receive, benefits greater than any expense he will 

 incur. If the purpose of the society were viewed in a true 

 light, the benefit which all its members obtain for themselves 

 and help to confer on others, would be regarded as of more 

 worth than any preniiuins ever awarded. Still, to equalize the 

 actual expense incurred, we think it just that some distinction 

 should be made in favor of those who live remote from the 

 place of exhibition, and can only with less convenience and at 

 greater expense, drive or bring animals to the ground. 



We understand that, since our last show, a member of the 

 society, who has taken great interest in its prosperity, has 

 imported some of a peculiar and promising character. They 

 are of the Kerry and the Shetland breeds. The description 

 of them will bo new, and much interest will be felt to know 

 what are their peculiar characteristics. By permission of the 

 gentleman, who imported them, we have obtained from his 

 agent, the following account : — 



Of the " Kerries," Mr. Howard says : " These little mountain 

 cattle are highly prized by the cottagers, and like the reindeer 

 to the Laplander, ' form their riches.' In their native districts, 

 I found the cattle even smaller than I had supposed them to 

 be, — but very useful in that locality, — living where no other 

 cattle I have ever seen could live. In several instances I met 

 with them at elevations of fifteen hundred to two thousand 

 feet above the sea, sharing with the goat the wild herbage 



