74 MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURE. 



society sustained ouly a small loss on them. The labor and 

 nails were the chief expeijse. I do not think it would be 

 advisable, however, for our society to adopt this plan. 



The New York Society bavins: attained an excellent finan- 

 cial condition, knowing that their annual show brought many 

 benefits to the city or town where it was held, and desiring 

 better covered pens, and buildings of their own planning, 

 decided to visit certain places regularly every few years where 

 the inhabitants should erect suitable buildings. 



These buildings have already been erected in several places, 

 so situated that they are easily accessible from the country 

 around them. By visiting them in turn the good influence of 

 the society is scattered all over the State. 



I believe that some such plan might be tried to advantage 

 in this county, and I would respectfully suggest that it be 

 carefully considered at an early meeting of the trustees, in 

 order that their views may be again declared for the benefit 

 of the members. I think that three places could be selected 

 for holding the annual shows, each of which would be central 

 to a third of the county, and at the same time easily reached 

 from any part of it. 



Would it be advisable for the society to propose to the city 

 and town authorities of Lawrence, Newburyport and Danvers 

 to visit in rotation said places, provided the citizens would 

 agree to furnish covered pens for all live-stock exhibited, in 

 addition to such arrangements as are now made ? Both Law- 

 rence and Danvers have their trotting-parks, where the society 

 would find excellent accommodations, with the addition of 

 covered pens ; and I doubt not that Newburyport could pro- 

 vide equally good accommodations should they be willing to 

 attempt it. 



Another matter of great importance was brought prom- 

 inently to my notice this year, when serving on the committee 

 on bulls. All county societies, receiving the state bounty 

 of $600, are compelled to award premiums only to thorough- 

 bred bulls. I found that few of the owners of cattle know 

 rightly what a thoroughbred animal is. Several grade bulls 

 were entered this year as thoroughbreds, their owners con- 

 fidently believing them to be such. I know of cases where 

 our committee in the past, have awarded prizes to grade 



