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MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURE. 



awarded. They would further recommend that written state- 

 ments bo required in every instance, and that a preference be 

 given to fowls raised in the county. True agricultural science 

 (no matter to what subject it may be applied,) is, after all, but 

 inferences drawn from well-ascertained truths — mere theories 

 are of no value, except as their application elicits profitable 

 results. Demosthenes, when asked the first requisite of elo- 

 quence, replied, "action," — when asked the second, he replied, 

 "action," — and the third,- he still replied, " action." So the 

 exhibitor of poultry should remember that " facts, /ac^s, facts" 

 are what the farmer wishes, ere he will keep over a dozen or 

 two of fowl. Let him give such information as will show the 

 cost of keeping a flock of fowls " well-favored and fat-fleshed" 

 — and if after giving corn for months to another variety " very 

 ill-favored and lean-fleshed" they are as " ill-favored " as be- 

 fore, lot it be known. If these statements show that with 

 judicious management certain breeds can be made a source of 

 profit, if raised by the farmer in large flocks, inquiry will bo 

 stimulated, emulation excited, improvement will follow as a 

 matter of course, and future chicken committees will have 

 something to cruiu over. 



Ben : Perley Poore, Chairman. 



Black Shanghae. 



