BRISTOL SOCIETY. 333 



for rc-production. The largest, earliest, and most perfect ears 

 of corn, are always selected for planting ; and the best grain is 

 saved for sowing. The healthiest stocks and the best kinds of 

 fruit, for the orchard and the garden, are sought for by the hor- 

 ticulturist. Why should not the same principle be applied in 

 the selection of stock for the stall, the draught, or the dairy ? 

 It is often said, that it costs no more to keep a good cow than 

 a poor one. If the farmer will reflect, that the best cow will 

 give two or three times as much milk as an ordinary one, and 

 that there may be as great a difference in the quality, as in the 

 quantity, the importance of a good selection is at once evident. 



The greatest care and attention are given in some parts of 

 Europe, to the selection of breeds of cattle, and great labor 

 and expense are bestowed in improving them. No one 

 can read the agricultural journals of Great Britain, and the 

 reports of those who have recently visited that country, without 

 observing this fact. 



Great praise is due to the State society, for the importations 

 which they have recentlj/" made, at great expense, of some of 

 the best breeding stock in Great Britain, for the purpose of 

 improving our breeds of cattle, and for the liberality which has 

 been shown, in distributing specimens throughout the State. 

 It is hoped, that the farmers of Massachusetts will be able to 

 derive great benefit from this valuable stock of animals. 



The committee have awarded the following premiums : — 



For the best bull, to G. W. Morey, - - $12 00 



2d " " " B. F. Dean, - - 10 00 



the best cow, " Horatio Field, - - 10 00 



2d " " '' Simeon Presbrey, - 8 00 



the best heifer, " Johnson Gardner, - 5 00 



2d " " " Hiram Copeland, - 3 00 



J. DAGGETT, Chairman. 



Horatio Field's Statement. 



I off"er for premium, one native cow, seven years old last 

 spring. She calved April 7th, 1849. From one day's milk, in 



