294 NORFOLK SOCIETY. 



mittee would have had no excuse for withholding the first 

 premium. 



We fear that farmers do not realize the great importance of 

 improving the breed of cows for the dairy. The success of the 

 breeder depends mainly upon his care and judgment in select- 

 ing the best calves for raising. Present profit often induces the 

 owner to part with the best calf, when a large price is offered 

 by the butcher. 



We hope that all members of the society will give their at- 

 tention to the improvement of the breed of cattle, or lend their 

 aid by encouraging others to do so ; for remember, gentlemen, 

 a cow that gives seven quarts of milk per day through the year, 

 yields more profit to the owner, than five times the number 

 that gives but four quarts per day. The latter quantity is con- 

 sidered by the committee as the full average yield of cows in 

 this Commonwealth. By persevering, a great change for the 

 better might be wrought in a few years. 



CHEEVER NEWHALL, Chairman. 



Working Oxen. 



When we consider how important is the use of oxen in New 

 England, for agricultural purposes, it is well for the society to 

 give due encouragement for their production, either by breed- 

 ing, or selecting suitable steers at market, so that they may be 

 trained within the county, giving preference in premiums to 

 such owners as give satisfactory evidence of having themselves 

 performed such training. 



The trial of working oxen took place on " Cart Bridge Hill," 

 which, according to a former report, is an elevation of one foot 

 in twenty ; that part of the hill where the backing was per- 

 formed, being somewhat more elevated. The load for trial was 

 fifty-three hundred, including cart. Thirteen yokes of oxen 

 were entered, and but four came forward for premium. No 

 time was taken into account, each having been requested to 

 perform at natural gait ; oxen not weighed. Some considera- 

 tion was paid to age and apparent weight. 



