330 NORFOLK SOCIETY. 



petuating a variety in its purity or successful crossing. The 

 first aim of every one who would raise fowls should be, to 

 possess himself of the purest stock of whatever description he 

 may fancy or deem best suited to the circumstances of his 

 location, climate and other conditions. Every denomination 

 has its standard of merit, and it is desirable to have that stand- 

 ard raised as high as a regard to the distinctive qualities and 

 stamina of its members will allow. 



The committee would suggest that, in future, some rule 

 should be definitely laid down whereby popular judgment 

 could be regulated on unerring principle ; they would further 

 suggest that the prizes should be distributed so as to embrace 

 a larger number of known popular varieties of barn-yard fowls, 

 with a view that this definitive process should be made to em- 

 brace the whole of them ; also that the number of gallinaceous 

 fowls should not exceed twelve of the choicest specimens, 

 to entitle the contributor to compete for the best lot of fowls. 



We would further recommend, in consideration of the obvi- 

 ous importance of poultry raising, that a prize be off'ered for 

 the best Essay on the Management of Domestic Fowls, with 

 reference to the special conditions of climate, and other influ- 

 ences in Massachusetts, which aff'ect this item of domestic 

 economy. This prize might not be less than $25, and, should 

 a larger sum be assigned by the society, it would not be spent 



in vain. 



EBEN WIGHT, Chairman. 



Dairy Products. 

 'There was awarded on butter : 

 To Rev. C. C. Sewall, of Medfield, 1st premium, . |10 00 

 " George F. Adams, " " 2d " .8 00 



The committee recommend, also, that the society's first pre- 

 mium of $10, on milk of any ntmiber of cows more than seven, 

 be awarded to John H. Robinson, of Dorchester, who has 

 made a long and valuable statement of the number of cows 

 kept by him ; of the quantity and value of their milk, and his 

 method of keeping them. 



