5^0 



dcrects, I'or all or any of the al)Ove characteristics in the dam 

 have an important influence upon her offspring ; and if we 

 ever intend to improve this class of stock in Essex County, we 

 must pay more attention to these things, and if our Society is 

 to be a means of securing that improvement, it must be more 

 stringent in its requirements of those who ask for its premiums 

 and diplomas. The owners of stock ought always to be in 

 attendance upon the Committee at the time of examination, so 

 that they may answer any questions the Committee may ask. 

 Then the premium list should be carefully revised and im- 

 proved by offering large awards for the liest blooded stock. If 

 you look over your annual shows, it will be observed that the 

 Hall department is usually fully up to the standard, with the 

 present list of premiums. The cattle-grounds are sadly de- 

 ficient. Let the premiums be doubled or even trebled on 

 real meritorious stock ; then let there be suitable protection 

 from the weather by temporary sheds, so that if there should 

 be a long, cold storm, the animals would not be exposed to 

 danger ; then have competent committees attend faithfully to 

 their duties and decide impartially on the merits of stock 

 examined, and you would see more empty barns and pastures 

 throughout the county on the days of the fair, and our stock- 

 yards on the fair-grounds would compare favoraljly with any 

 County Show in the State, both in respect to numbers and 

 quality ; for instead of injuring the Society, it would lift it at 

 once upon a higher plane or" usefulness. As you raise your 

 standard and premiums, you increase the value of your decis- 

 ions and diplomas. When you have done that, stock-owners will 

 be as anxious to get your awards as those of any other society 

 in the land, especially the owners of the best stock. 



We hope to live to see the day when a first j)remium with 

 di})loma shall add twenty ])er cent, to the market value of the 

 animal, and the lower premiums in that proportion. We shall 

 be told that the Society cannot afford to increase its premiums 

 and expenses. Tliis is not trve. It cannot aftbrd to follow its 

 present policy, if it means to live as an Agricultural Society. 



Let the boast never be heard again that we have more than 



