104 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Jan. 



pleton, for his horse " Petersham Morgan ; " the second, of -$30, to 

 Noble II. Hill, of Boston, for his horse " Rip Van Winkle ; " the 

 third, of $30, to A. Walton, of Soixth Reading, for his horse " Mount 

 Vernon." 



This was unquestionably the best exhibition of horses, of this 

 class, ever made in the State of Massachusetts. 



Every one of the whole nineteen were good horses, and most of 

 them possessed so many peculiar points of excellence, that it was 

 extremely difficult to designate those that were above all others 

 entitled to the premium offered by the Board. 



The term, " general utility" involves the necessity of a particular 

 examination of each animal offered, with regard to their ability to 

 perform the various kinds of labor — on the farm, the road, for draught, 

 for light work, speed, blood, powers of endurance, and various other 

 things. When the limited time allowed for the examinations, or the 

 great number of animals offered is considered, it will be apparent 

 that it was impossible for the committee to take each horse and go 

 into the extended examinations and trials that the case would seem 

 to demand. Owing to the peculiarities above alluded to, the com- 

 mittee found themselves under much embarrassment, but proceeded 

 as best they could, to designate the three horses in their opinion best 

 entitled to the premiums, and then classify them into first, second, 

 and third. After doing this, it was the design of the committee to 

 further classify and designate, and thus indicate in some measure the 

 committee's opinion of the classified order of excellence, but in addi- 

 tion to the difficulties above alluded to, it was found that a report 

 upon that plan would necessarily become too voluminous, and the 

 committee are compelled to content themselves with making this gen- 

 eral report, and agreed that they would do no more. 



All of which is respectfully submitted by 



Iyeks Phillips, 



j. s. f. huddlesxon, 



M. D. Phillips, 



Com7nittee. 



The premiums oflfered for mares and geldings four years old 

 and upwards, entered as horses for general utility, were the 

 same as for stallions of the same age. 



The following is the list of entries of marcs and geldings, 

 over 1,000 lbs., entered as horses for general utility : — 



