192 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



little or no indication of any attempt to breed for milk. Tliat 

 does not appear to be any part of the object of Shorthorn 

 breeders, as a general rule. There may be exceptions, as 

 among the Duchesse breeders, but few of these were here 

 exhibited. 



Many of the animals were too fat even for beef. I am 

 inclined to think there was very just fault found on account of 

 over-feeding animals in preparation for the show. The object 

 of the society is declared to be to promote " a cheapened pro- 

 duction of the best meat," and not to award prizes to animals 

 best fattened for the butcher. And yet exhibitors understand 

 very well that the fattest animals show off best, and, other 

 things being equal, usvially take the first prizes. I know that 

 many expressed surprise that the owners of such splendid and 

 high bred creatures, as many of the Shorthorns, Herefords and 

 Devons, should run the risk of permanent injury for tlie sake 

 of winning an uncertain prize. " Fat," they say, " will cover 

 faults," and few judges are capalile of discriminating between 

 the comparative merits of points covered with fat and beauty. 



The classes were arranged according to age, as " Bulls 

 calved on or before July 1st, 1859, above three and under six 

 years ;" " Bulls calved since July 1st, 1859, above two and 

 under three years :" and " Bulls calved since July 1st, 1860, 

 above one and under, two years." Then " Bull calves above 

 six and under twelve months old." And so " Cows above 

 three years old," " Heifers in milk and in calf, under three 

 years," and " Yearling heifers ; " " Heifer calves above six and 

 under twelve months old." Three prizes were offered in each 

 class of males, $150, |75 and $25 ; and for the older females, 

 $125, $50 and $25. 



In the first class of bulls twenty-six animals were exhibited, a 

 superb lot. Many of them were of great size, and magnificent 

 in form and style. The first prize was given to a white and 

 exceedingly fat bull, though many good judges thought the 

 second prize had finer points for a breeding animal, and would 

 have stood first had he been as well covered with fiit as the 

 first. 



Twenty-five entries made up the second class, two years and 

 under three, some of the animals being very superior. Tiie 

 first prize in this class was one of the best of this breed I ever 



