U-2 MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURE. 



• 



not be outdone by any animal at the fair. As the training of 

 cattle is committed to the hands of the farmers, may we not 

 anticipate much progress at future exhibitions in Hampden 

 County. See to it, that the crown which belongs to the noble 

 ox is not given to a much less worthy competition. Farmers, 

 wc bring this subject to your doors and. leave it with you, 

 hoping to hear a good report at our next annual festival. In 

 behalf of the directors. 



Thos. J. Siiepard. 



FAT CATTLE. 



ESSEX. 



From the Report of the Committee on Fat Cattle. 



On most of the objects for which premiums are offered, if the 

 awards were accompanied by full reports of the grounds on 

 which they are made, suggestions or extended remarks by the 

 committees respecting the many points wherein success or fail- 

 ure is made, or improvements are to be desired, and the means 

 by which they are attainable, the reports would be more inter- 

 esting and more instructive. Our Transactions would be much 

 more valuable, and would be preserved carefully for future, 

 .almost for daily use, by farmers. They would constitute a 

 guide book, to which they would refer when in doubt on any of 

 the operations of husbandry. 



As to fat cattle there is a diversity of opinion as to the quali- 

 ties that render them desirable or marketable. Wc have often 

 been amused to witness the feelings and hear the expressions of 

 competitors for the premiums of this kind of stock at our shows, 

 making themselves appear very ignorant or very selfish, and 

 unless the first premium is awarded them, complaining that 

 great injustice is done, or the committee are not judges. 

 Although this is not the region perhaps for raising stock, par- 

 ticularly beef animals, for profit, still what we do have should 

 be of the right kind — that which is always sought after in the 

 market by first class butchers, easily and readily sold at the 



