104 BOARD ^OF AGRICULTURE. 



be miicli superior to tlic former. The j^rcat majority of spec- 

 tators would, without a moment's hesitation, select the most 

 beautiful as the best, while a careful study of the real poiuts 

 wliich make a perfect cow, would show their error. Moreover, 

 even where the examiner has a standard by which he tests the 

 animal before him, this standard will of course be different in 

 different individuals, being formed on different degrees of obser- 

 vation and study in each. There is, therefore, a necessity for 

 some general standard, that the grounds of the decision of 

 the committee may be known. The points, or standard, by 

 which the merits of the animals offered are to be judged, being 

 known by all, the committees would have not only a guide for 

 their decision, but also a protection against the unfair criticisms 

 by which they are now too frequently assailed. 



It might be well for each society to fix some such standard 

 as could be easily understood, by which its premiums should be 

 awarded. This might be done in the department just alluded 

 to, by fixing upon a certain number of points, with the under- 

 standing that the animal in which these are to be found in the 

 highest perfection, shall be entitled to the first premium. A 

 want of a certain number of these poiuts, should exclude the 

 animal from consideration in the distribution of premiums. Such 

 a model in the hands of the /committee, giving all the members 

 the same means of comparison, would be a great aid to them, 

 and would make the awarding of premiums comparatively safe, 

 easy and agreeable, instead of being difficult and embarrassing 

 as it now is.'^^ 



* The following Points of excellence for the different breeds of stock have been 

 adopted, after cai-efiil consideration, by the society of a neighboring State, and are 

 substantially the same as those adopted by the best judges of stock in England, viz. : 



POINTS OF A SHORT-HORN COW. 



Pedigree — Showing unbroken descent, on both sides, from known animals, derived 

 from English herds, as found in the English or American Herd Books, and 

 without this, an animal cannot compete in this class. 



The Head, small lean and bony, tapering to the muzzle, .... 3 

 The Face somewhat long, the fleshy portion of the Nose of a light delicate 



color 2 



The Eye is of great significance, and should be prominent, bright, and clear — 



" prominent," from an accumulation of " adeps" in the back part of its socket, 



wliich indicates a tendency to lay on fat — " bright," as an evidence of a good 



