104 MIDDLESEX SOCIETY. 



ate hill, with steadiness and apparently without straining, by 

 several of the teams. The teams were exercised in all the 

 various movements of the road, drawing, stopping and starting, 

 backing and turning, and proved themselves to be under most 

 excellent discipline ; several of the cattle engaged in this exer- 

 cise were very large, of beautiful symmetry, quick in their 

 motions, and of great strength, and would bear a favorable 

 comparison with cattle from any part of the State. 



The show of cattle was large in numbers and excellent in 

 quality, but upon the whole, not coming up to what the farmers 

 of Middlesex can make, if they would exhibit more of their 

 stock. In this county there are several towns, which have asso- 

 ciations and exhibitions similar to our own, and Ihey appear to 

 be a sufficient outlet for the zeal of most of the farmers in those 

 towns. Consequently their stock and other articles suitable for 

 exhibition, do not appear in the annual county show. In this 

 respect, it is believed that the establishment of town societies 

 operates injuriously to the county societies. Frequent meet- 

 ings of the farmers of a neighborhood or town, for discussion 

 and comparison of farm operations, would no doubt lead to 

 many beneficial results. But it is believed that the multiplica- 

 tion of town societies, holding annual exhibitions, may with- 

 draw attention from the county associations, weaken the inter- 

 est felt in them, and finally defeat the object which the State 

 had in view in contributing to their support. 



Among the cattle were several specimens of native cows, 

 possessing most of the best points, and giving strong indica- 

 tions that with proper attention to the sire, these animals would 

 produce progeny of a very high order. The weight of one of 

 these cows belonging to Alexander Wright, of Lowell, we were 

 informed, was 1400 pounds. There were also fine cows of the 

 Ayrshire, Alderney, Durham and Devon breeds. 



Of swine there were a few fine specimens, comprising nearly 

 all that were shown. Notwithstanding this deficiency in the 

 exhibition, there is really a good deal of attention paid to im- 

 proving the breeds of swine. A large number are kept in the 

 county as the best means of increasing the manure heap. 

 These are principally fed upon milk and corn, and furnish as 

 good pork as can possibly be produced. 



