154 BERKSHIRE SOCIETY. 



Cows and Heifers. 



The committee to whom was assigned the difficult and labo- 

 rious task of examining and deciding upon the comparative 

 merits of between forty and fifty cows, and half as many younger 

 animals, report, — that although they make no pretensions to the 

 experience or discrimination of M. F. Guenon, they, as good 

 farmers are always wont to do, have endeavored to act, in all 

 cases, with fidelity and impartiality in awarding their premiums. 

 A large number of fine animals were exhibited ; yet it was evi- 

 dent that, in most cases, the improved breeds of Durham and 

 Ayrshire deserved the preference, both as breeders and milkers. 



We would remind our brother farmers, that there is yet among 

 us quite too much negligence, in the selection of breeding cows, 

 and calves for raising. Hundreds of calves are raised in our 

 county, that should have been recommended to the tender mer- 

 cies of the butcher ; and scores feel the edge of his knife, that 

 should be rescued by the gentler hand of the grazier. 



LYMAN FOOTE, Chairman. 



Ploughing Match. 



The plough is the instrument of peace. It is the instrument 

 whereby peace wins her victories. Wheresoever civilization 

 waves her banner, the motto thereon is, "Speed the plough." 

 Wheresoever humanity arrays her votaries, she singles out the 

 ploughman with his plough, as entitled to the foremost, place. 

 The genius of each season pays willing honors to the plough. 

 Spring, as she steps over our plains and goes down our valleys, 

 leaving her robe upon orchard and woodland, and giving the in- 

 cense of her breath to the gale, departs not until she reminds 

 the husbandman that Fortune, if he would win her favors, must 

 be wooed at the plough. And Summer, while she adorns her 

 arbor with flowers, and regales us with delicious fruits, points 

 to the plough as being, under Providence, the producing power. 



