STOCK. 145 



heap," or garden mould. A deep pulverization of the soil is 

 necessary to the germination of the seed and the ready exten- 

 sion of the roots, to the free circulation in it of moisture and 

 air and the admission of solar heat, all combining to prepare 

 and transmit food to the growing plant. If the soil is lumpy or 

 coarse, and does not come in close contact with the seed to keep 

 it moist, the seed cannot germinate ; the roots cannot freely 

 extend in search of food, nor can this food be properly prepared 

 and transmitted to the plant unless the soil is so pulverized as to 

 permit the free circulation of air and moisture through its inter- 

 stices and through its mass. The air and dews are charged with 

 elements of fertility, and the more freely they are permitted to 

 penetrate the soil the more be^iefit they will impart to the crop. 

 For the Committee, 



E. Graham, Chairman. 



STOCK. 



MIDDLESEX. 



From the Report of the Committee. 

 I 

 Three herds were on exhibition : one of the three, that of 



Winthrop W. Chenery, Esq., having once taken the society's 

 premium, was entered simply for exhibition. It might be 

 deemed superfluous for your Committee to speak particularly of 

 this celebrated herd. It is too well-known throughout the 

 country to need comment at our hands. What the owner 

 claims in regard to the superior qualities in this rare breed 

 seems to be clearly admitted by the community, as the increas- 

 ing demand for them at enhanced prices fully proves. 



The other two were entered for exhibition and premium : 

 one by Mr. Francis B. Hayes, of Lexington ; the other by H. 

 M. Clarke, Esq., of Belmont. It was somewhat difficult for 

 your Committee to come to a conclusion satisfactory to their 

 own minds in regard to these very creditable herds. That of 

 Mr. Hayes was composed of eleven pure blood Jerseys, one 

 splendid cow, seven-eighths Jersey and one-eighth Durham, 

 besides several Dutch grade heifers and a pair of oxen. 



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