24 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Jan. 



No. 28. — Bull and four cows, owned by William Buckminster, Fraralngham. 

 (For herd prcmuun.) 

 29. — Bull, "May Boy," owned by Charles W. Gushing, South Hinghanau 

 30. — Bull, " Roebuck 2d," 1 year old, owned by Harvey Dodge, Sutton. 

 31. — Steer, 2 years old, owned by Harvey Dodge, Sutton. 

 32. — Cow, •' Lady Devon," owned by the State, and kept at tho State 



farm at Westborough. (Entered for exhibition only.) 

 33. — Cow, 5 years old, owned liy Josiah Gates, Lowell. 



The judges on the foregoing entries submitted the following 



REPORT: 



The committee appointed to judge on Devoii cattle, were all present 

 at their examination. "We found we had no small task before us, 

 when we received the Black-hook from our indefatigable Secretary, 

 and there learned there were over thirty entries, including all classes, 

 on which we were to judge. There were three entries of one bull 

 and four cows, each for the herd premiums. One, by the venerable 

 editor and farmer of Framingham, (William Buckminster ;) one by 

 the intelligent farmer of Sutton, (Harvey Dodge ;) and one by a son 

 of the honorable farmer of Princeton, (John Brooks, Jr.) 



The rearing of cattle is one of the most important branches of 

 farming. It should be the object with our farmers to raise such cattle 

 as mature early, and return the greatest profits for the food consumed- 

 If we desire a combination of qualities in the same animal, such as 

 work, beef, milk and early maturity, select that breed which combines 

 these qualities in the highest degree. If only one object is desired, 

 Buch as milk, beef, or Avork, procure the breed best adapted to the 

 purpose for which, it is wanted. We should, in our selection of stock, 

 be governed by location, soil and feed. By selecting the breed best 

 adapted to our circumstances, and managed judiciously, we cannot 

 fail of success. The cattle which were under our examination 

 were many of them superior, and some two or three in some of th* 

 classes were of merits so nearly equal, the committee found it diffi- 

 cult to decide. We had written statements in regard to the dairy 

 products of Mr. Buckminster's and Mr. Brooks' herds. Mr. Dodge 

 furnisked a written statement of the purity of blood of his herd. 



Mr. Buckminster's statement was confirmed by written certificates 

 of two of his neighbors, (Abby Freeman and Caroline W^inter,) that 

 four quarts of the milk of his cows made in October, one pound of 

 " good yellow butter." 



By the statement of Mr. Brooks, it took eight quarts of the milk 

 from his cows to make one pound of butter. 



