246 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Jan. 



WORCIJSTER WEST. 



The animal exhibition of tlic Worcester West Society, took 

 place at Barre, September 17th ; and I considered it a favor to 

 be delegated to that section of the Commonwealth, as I long 

 have had a desire to extend my acquaintance to a locality so 

 noted for their fine cattle, and superior daily products. 



I suppose that the main object of the Board in appointing 

 delegates to the agricultural exhibitions, is to learn what is the 

 condition of the art, what improvements have been made, and 

 what improvements are most required. 



It is obvious that such investigations can at present only be 

 an approach to some definite result ; but it is in the highest 

 degree encouraging that some facts have already been brought 

 out in respect to the increase of crops, and the vast economy of 

 labor-saving machines that are of great value. 



The day selected was unfavorable as far as the weather was 

 concerned ; but I was told that the number of persons in attend- 

 ance was nearly equal to an average of previous exhibitions. 



At their ploughing match the furrows were turned to a good 

 depth, the work unusually well done, showing a great degree 

 of skill, good ploughs, and well-trained teams. 



In the cattle department, the most prominent animal was a 

 thorough-bred Durham bull, wliose symmetrical proportions 

 made him an object of universal admiration ; he was owned by 

 William Robinson, Jr., of Barre. There were several other 

 fine bulls on .exhibition, most of them of the Durham grade. 



There was a large number of cows on exhibition, and of a 

 superior quality. They were most of them of the Durham 

 cross, showing convincing proof that although the high-bred 

 Durhams maybe, as is generally supposed, poor milkers, a cross 

 with this breed has given us some of the most valuable animals 

 for the dairy. 



There was a large show of working cattle, and young stock, 

 many of them worthy of especial notice. 



The swine and sheep were not largely represented, but showed 

 some excellent specimens of the former ; I believe, without an 

 exception, of the Suffolk breed. 



