204 MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURE. 



to the cliiirn or clieese-press ; or to declare that either race is 

 alike profitable for both ? In rural economy no department is 

 of more importance than the dairy. But who knows, and by 

 what instructions, shall the farmer select the best animal for his 

 purpose ? There are partialities, doubtless, for different breeds; 

 but they are the result rather of a knowledge of particular 

 instances of excellence, than of any general, ascertained rule, 

 which has respect, alike to the selection, management and use 

 of the animals. Until it can be determined which race is most 

 bountiful in milk, and longest in the continuance of the milk- 

 ing season ; which is most productive of butter or of cheese ; 

 which is most cheaply kept, having reference to productiveness ; 

 which produces the best calves, and ultimately will make, at the 

 least cost, the most beef; and finally, which, in the view of all 

 these considerations, unites the largest variety of valuable prop- 

 erties, and becomes the most profitable ; these investigations, 

 which the society has instituted, should not cease, and com- 

 petitors for premiums should be held to make the trial and fur- 

 nish the information which is required to arrive at more satis- 

 factory result. 



In the competition, at the present show, the committee have 

 found even more cause for complaint than upon former occa- 

 sions. There were certified by the secretary to have been thir- 

 ty-two entries of this class of stock, a number unprecedented 

 in any previous exhibition, in this coimty ; yet, with the excep- 

 tion of three competitors, there was a total omission, on the 

 part of the owners, to furnish certificates required by the rules 

 in reference to the history, qualities and products of the ani- 

 mals, and the committee were left to judge of their comparative 

 merits from such information as they casually gathered at the 

 pens, and from their personal inspection. Of the number, some 

 bore the marks of the highest excellence, while not a single one 

 was of ordinary appearance in milking properties. 



A beautiful cow of bright red color, remarkable in size and 

 of fine proportions, one-fourth Ayrshire, entered by Mr. Rufus 

 Carter, of Worcester, first attracted the attention of the com- 

 mittee. Her great yield of milk and singular productiveness 

 came to them by rumor. She was offered for exhibition only — 

 her owner, as was intimated, looking to higher game than the 

 premiums of this society, which, under a late law of the legis- 



