240 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Jan. 



that there are more or less good milkers in every community, 

 but it is generally more accidental than otherwise. 



Tiie idea is not very prevalent among the great mass 

 of farmers, that you may raise an animal very much to your 

 own taste, by judicious crosses; that you may make this point 

 more prominent, or that less, alter materially the shape of your 

 stock ; can raise large or small cattle, good milkers or poor 

 ones. If this be true, and I believe it is reduced to a science 

 among our best stock growers, it is an important fact. 



The first year's growth of a calf is of great importance. Noth- 

 ing pays better than to make pets of all of our calves the first 

 twelve months. No one can afford to raise a poor calf. A good 

 one pays well. 



The i-how of horses was very respectable. More good horses 

 than are usually seen at our fairs. Some very superior Black 

 Hawks and Morgans were on exhibition, and other very supe- 

 rior single and matched horses ; also mares and colts. The 

 show was imposing as they passed around the course ■at com- 

 mon speed. I was forcibly impressed that this is the true way 

 to show to advantage a horse ; then you can see their true 

 form, their motion, and muscles — the noble animal in his pride, 

 without his form being distorted under the spur and lash. 

 There was no fast trotting there. I saw no fancy horse men, 

 whose greatest pride is sporting with fast horses. But I found 

 myself among a civil people, lovers of good order and good 

 horses, well knowing the proprieties of the farmers' festival, and 

 the humanity that belongs to the lower animals. 



The show of swine was not large but good, mostly of the 

 Suffolk cross, which is the best cross extant. 



There was some good specimens of poultry. 



The spading match was well contested, and the work well 

 done. 



The trial of the strength and discipline of oxen was well 

 contested ; heavy loads were drawn, and backed with ease, 

 showing that a proper training adds much to the value of an 

 ox team. 



The exhibition hall was the place of great attraction, and 

 well it might be, for every department was most beautifully 

 arrayed ; more taste and system is seldom seen in exhibition 

 halls. The show of apples and pears far exceeded any show I 



