128 MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURE. 



and unprejudiced judges of such property — as forexample fruit 

 in Essex County. 



So much for the character of the committees that are to be 

 appointed by our trustees ; and if it is certain that the men 

 who are appointed on these committees will serve, it will be well 

 and good. But, unfortunately, according to the present system, 

 there are many vacancies on the committees, which would not 

 be the case if committees were carefully appointed. 



Poultry is a branch of farming that is attracting much atten- 

 tion at present throughout this and neighboring States, and our 

 county can boast of many fine birds, which are one of the chief 

 features at our county shows. The rivalry in this class runs 

 so high that all chance of prejudice influencing members of the 

 committee should be strongly guarded against ; and if neces- 

 sary, what objection would there be to asking persons outside of 

 the county to serve on committees, if capable and unprejudiced 

 judges can only be obtained in this way ? None ; and, as I have 

 already recommended in regard to some of the cattle, this would 

 be an excellent plan. 



I think it would be better to divide the poultry into two 

 classes, and place each class under a separate committee. At 

 our last show the poultry committee were nearly two days 

 making out their list of awards on account of the large number 

 of entries. This is too much time to ask any committee to give, 

 and as the interest in poultry is on the increase, two separate 

 committees should be appointed. Let the larger birds (Asiatic), 

 and ducks, geese and turkeys, be in one class ; and the smaller 

 birds (non-sitters), which are more numerous than the larger 

 varieties, be in the other ; and this arrangement will simplify 

 matters very much. It must also be borne in mind that new 

 breeds are frequently coming into notice, and our premiums 

 should be carefully revised every year accordingly. 



I passed all my time, days and nights, at Ipswich during the 

 last show, having both cattle, vegetables and butter from my 

 own farm on exhibition, and being interested in the swine and 

 poultry, so that the foregoing is written from my own personal 

 experience, after two days of careful observation. There are 

 other subjects connected with the advancement of our society 

 which I shall hope to discuss at some future time, if others shall 

 not have already done so to advantage. 



