308 MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURE. 



department of husbandry more interesting or more important, 

 and tliey will gladly avail themselves of the suggestions of 

 experienced farmers, in doing whatever more may be in their 

 power in the same direction. 



With this view, and in conformity with the general ideas of 

 yourself and Judge Hoar, they have authorized and instructed 

 the undersigned to select four counties in different quarters of 

 the Commonwealth, in which premiums for the best dairy of 

 cows shall be offered by the State Society during the present 

 year, and they have appropriated the sum of six hundred dol- 

 lars for the purpose. Should the result of this experiment 

 fulfil tlic expectations which they are encouraged to form, it is 

 not improbable that a similar course will be pursued in the 

 other counties in succeeding years. 



For the present, however, we are authorized to announce to 

 you, and through you to the farmers of Middlesex, and other 

 parts of the State, that the agricultural societies of Middlesex, 

 Berkshire, Worcester, and Bristol, are hereby severally em- 

 powered by the trustees of the State Society, to offer the fol- 

 lowing premiums for the present year, and to call upon our 

 treasurer for their payment, viz. ; — 



For the best dairy of cows, not less than six in number, and 

 which shall have been owned by the exhibitor and kept within 

 the county not less than five months previous to the cattle 

 show, $75. For the second best do., $50; for the third best 

 do., $25. 



You will observe that we have so far departed from your 

 suggestions, as to confine the competition to the separate coun- 

 ties, instead of adopting the district system, which you pro- 

 posed. 



And we desire, also, to add, that the whole responsibility of 

 judging as to the cattle exhibited, and of awarding the premi- 

 ums, is intended to be left to the county societies, respectively, 

 subject only to the conditions and limitations which have been 

 already stated. 



We remain, dear sir, respectfully, your obedient servants, 



JiOBT. C. WiNTHROP, ^ 



James Brown, > Committee. 



George W. Lyman, ) 



