IMPROVING OUR SOCIETY. 123 



week following the show, before they can ascertain what awards 

 they are entitled to. The premiums awarded for success at 

 ploughing, drawing, &c, which are necessarily awarded the 

 second day of the show, the secretary could continue to an- 

 nounce at the dinner ; or they could be posted up in a con- 

 spicuous place at the show. This system would benefit all the 

 visitors very much. 



Many individuals who have served on committees of our so- 

 ciety, myself among the number, having complained of the diffi- 

 culty of finding the articles or animals entered for competition, 

 on account of the incompleteness, illegible appearance, or some- 

 times entire want of any card attached to what has been entered 

 under their committee, I would suggest in this connection, 

 that when any entry is made to the secretary, a printed form, 

 upon which shall be written the name of article and under what 

 class entered, be given to the person making the entry, and 

 which shall be attached to the article when placed on exhibi- 

 tion. These printed forms will both serve as a check for the 

 entry, and be of very great value to the committees. 



I have also some words to say in regard to those departments 

 on the premium list in which I take most interest. I refer to 

 the premiums offered for bulls, milch cows and heifers, and the 

 appointment of the committees to award them ; and shall speak 

 particularly of the thoroughbreds, as the others seem to be well 

 provided for. 



Among the bulls, the Jerseys, Ayrshires, Shorthorns, Devons 

 and other recognized breeds are all placed under one committee, 

 and the same may be said of cows and heifers. It is specified 

 that these " must have been owned by the exhibitor four months 

 previous to the exhibition," and that " competitors are required 

 to give pedigree, and committees are requested to be particular 

 in this respect." These specifications are excellent, and should 

 be followed to the letter with every thoroughbred animal, as no 

 animal is thoroughbred without an authentic pedigree, but I 

 fear this is too seldom done. 



The type or points of an Ayrshire are different from those 

 of the Jersey, Shorthorn and others. The thoroughbred Ayr- 

 shire is noted for a large yield of milk, and for the power of 

 transmitting that quality to its descendants. The thoroughbred 

 Jersey is noted for a smaller but very rich (butteraceous) yield, 



