260 MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURE. 



HAMPSHIRE. 



Report of the Committee. 



We think we shall be sustained in the statement, that the 

 stock, as a whole, compared favorably with former years, and 

 in some departments, was in advance of any. 



The Amherst town string was the largest, numbering fifty- 

 six pairs, and that from South Hadley the best, containing 

 twenty-four yokes, almost every one choice oxen, averaging 

 3,300 lbs. a pair. The string from Hadley numbered forty-eight 

 pairs ; a large proportion were decidedly good. 



The first herd premium was awarded to Alfred Baker, of 

 Amherst, mostly grade Devons. Mr. Baker has raised some 

 good stock from the bull and cow presented to the society by 

 the Massachusetts State Society, several years since, and greatly 

 improved his herd ; his stock shows that a cross of Devon and 

 good native is worthy of attention, and we think the farmers 

 did not show a just appreciation of that pure Devon stock for a 

 cross. 



Until correct information is more generally diffused on the 

 subject of stock-breeding, the highest excellence will not be 

 attained. The first cross, as a rule, will be the best, and any 

 one breeding from a grade animal, however fair looking, is 

 liable to disappointment. 



We would suggest, that when an animal is entered as of dis- 

 tinct breed, or a grade of any breed, the owner should satisfy 

 the judges of the purity of the breed or the grade. 



The State Fair, held in Boston, showed, that there is good 

 stock in the State of pure blood, — Short-horns, Devons, Ayr- 

 shires, Alderneys and Herefords, — and now that it is brought 

 more fully to the notice of the farmers, we look for a rapid 

 improvement in this department. 



None of the bulls were thought worthy of the first premium 

 by the committee. 



There were thirteen entries of working oxen and eight of four 

 years old, good looking, and several pairs well matched. A 

 pair of four years old twins, weighing 3,900 lbs., owned by Ce- 

 phas May, of Conway, attracted much notice, — their symmetry of 



