20 



In proceeding- to remark particularly on the several pairs submitted to 

 their adjiidication, the Co.nmittee cannot but notice one serious difficul- 

 ty they were obliged to encounter, in making up their opinions : this is, 

 the very imperfect and unsatisfactory nature of the trial to which the 

 oxen are subjected. The draft of a heavy load on a cart for a short dis- 

 tance, up hill, affords very uncertain evidence of the real value and 

 power of the animals. Some arc naturally much more slow in their gait, 

 and laborious in their manner of drawing, than others ; though at the 

 same time they may be capable of performing more work than those 

 >vhich step olT, for a few minutes, more handsomely. Some will perform 

 admirably for a short time, but would fail under continued hard service. 

 In some, the great vigour and activity they display may be the effect of 

 high keeping and little service ; and this would not appear to the judges. 

 Above all, some are much more intimidated by the moving crowd about 

 them than others, and from this cause they may be prevented from show- 

 ing their usual power and docility. We can all see, also, that there is a 

 great difference in the skill of the drivers. A judicious, intelligent farmer 

 would want to know a great deal more respecting a pair of oxen which 

 he was about to purchase, than he could learn from such a trial as we 

 witness. He would wish to be satisfied whether they would work hard, 

 day after day, and yet hold their life and flesh, eat and drink well, and 

 fill themselves readily — whether they were true and ready at all times 

 and in all places — and whether they were in reality, in all important 

 properties, as well as to appearance, well matched. But from such 

 data as we were furnished with, we were obliged to form our opinions ; 

 and we submit the result, relymg on the candour of the competitors. 



Seventeen pairs of oxen were entered for drawing; but from various 

 circumstances, eleven pairs only were subjected to the trial. A very 

 beautiful pair was withdrawn from the competition by Mr. Asa Cum- 

 mings, jr. of Sutton, on account of his having been selected as one of the 

 judges in this department. The performance of these oxen at the plough- 

 ing match shewed that the competitors for the premiums on working ox- 

 en are much indebted to the delicacy of Mr. Cummings in withholding 

 them from the trial. 



1 lie Committee were decidedly of opinion that where old and young 

 ca' tie are brought into competition, if the younger animals perform as 

 well or nearly as well as the older, they are entitled to the preference. 

 This opniion operated to exclude from the premiums nearly one half of 

 the oxen brought to the trial ; and of these some were very large, state- 

 ly, noble, and valuable cattle. Of this description, Stephen Marsh, of 

 Button, brought to the trial a pair, 6 and 7 years old. Messrs. Ward k, 

 Kice, of Worcester, brought into the competition a pair, 8 years old : 

 these were of great size, fine proportion, and extraordinary power ; and, 

 considering their capacity for beef as well as for work, were probably 

 ■worth more money than any other pair on the field — but much hard ser- 

 vice had diminished their activity and vigour. The pair owned by Hen- 

 ry Jkillard, of Holden, 8 years old, though sturdy and excellent in the 

 draft, were not well made, nor very well trained : they were better cal- 

 culated for use than for show — for profit than for pride ; though the 

 Committee believe that smoother and handsomer cattle are more easily 

 kept, and though they may not be capable of doing more work, are 

 much more easily and cheaply converted into beef. The 7 years old 

 fjattle of Stith Wyinan, of Shrewsbury, were an elegant, large, well- 

 matched pair, and under excellent discipline: they performed the service 

 to which they were subjected with grtat ease and vigour : they were in 

 every respect creditable to the distinguished farmer who owns them, and 

 who has exhibited them at two of our previous Shows. On one of these 



