352 MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURE. 



time and trouble expended. In this respect, no greater error 

 can be committed than by those who seem to suppose that if a 

 horse is sound, they may use a mare which is either unsound, 

 or old, and worn-out, instead of a vigorous and healthy animal. 

 For good stock, it is necessary that the colt should be descended 

 from both a sire and dam which are not the victims of any un- 

 soundness or disease, but which have, in themselves, those 

 qualities which are desirable to have transmitted to their off- 

 spring. It is true, that good stock is not always raised, when 

 the sire and dam are both good, but in the far greater majority 

 of instances, there can be no question that the stock will par- 

 take essentially of the character of its parentage. 



Charles Devens, Jr., Chairman. 



BERKSHIRE. 



Report of the Committee. 



The committee to whom was referred the ardous yet inter- 

 esting duty of deciding upon the merits of the animals pre- 

 sented under this division of the show, have been highly 

 gratified in witnessing the increasing interest among the far- 

 mers of Berkshire, in the improvement of their horses. We 

 believe that on no former anniversary of this society, has there 

 been so fine a display of mares and colts as was brought before 

 us on this occasion, a fact which we look upon as evidence con- 

 clusive, that the zeal that has for a considerable time past ani- 

 mated a large portion of the farmers of Vermont and New 

 York, has found its way into Western Massachusetts ; and we 

 trust it is destined here to expand and rise till old Berkshire 

 shall become as famous for the raising, matching and training of 

 good horses, as she already is for her success in the breeding 

 of fine cattle. Our hopes in this matter are based upon the 

 well-known fact that a large portion of the farmers of this com- 

 munity are ever prepared to adopt, and pursue with eagerness, 

 any honest calling that will ensure to them a fair remuneration 

 for the outlay required. 



And what, in the line of stock raising, offers a more generous 

 reward than this, where the foal of a few months only, will 



