274 HOUSATONIC SOCIETY. 



good plough in the saving of labor to the team, in the greater 

 ease of holding, and the rapidity and excellence of the work 

 done, is vastly greater than wonld be supposed by the superfi- 

 cial observer. Indeed, our farmers who have never used such 

 an implement as a firstrate plough, are yet to learn its advan- 

 tages. They are far, too far behind the age. 



GILBERT MUNSON, Chairman. 



Milch Cows and Heifers. 



The number of competitors in this class was quite respecta- 

 ble, although it may have been much diminished by the regula- 

 tions adopted by the society, for testing the merits of the ani- 

 mals under this department. 



The competitors were required to furnish the committee 

 with a statement setting forth the time of calving, the number 

 of pounds of milk produced the first ten days of June, July, 

 August and September, respectively ; the number of pounds of 

 butter made from the same, and what feed was given, (if any) 

 beside pasture, and how much. These conditions were con- 

 sidered somewhat oppressive by many of the competitors and 

 most of them failed to accomplish a strict compliance with them. 

 A disposition was manifest in most of the committee to sympa- 

 thize with the competitors on this point, and they were pre- 

 pared to recommend the abolition of those regulations for the 

 future, yet a small minority were of a different opinion, and 

 considered the rule, if strictly complied with, calculated to 

 draw out interesting and profitable facts in regard to the profits 

 of this most important portion of the herds of this county, and, 

 although such a compliance is attended with considerable trou- 

 ble, the generous award made to the successful competitors, 

 should be considered a fair compensation for such labor. 



Feeling bound, as we did, to abide strictly by the regulations 

 laid before us. we did not feel at liberty to make uncondiiio7ial 

 awards to those who failed to comply with those conditions, 

 yet where real merit in animals was apparent, and a compliance 

 of the rules effected by the owner, we have awarded uncondi- 



