166 MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURE. 



in that respect, their oxen might possibly have performed their 

 part so well as to have made the awards different. 



Augustus J. Sawyer, Chairman. 



WORCESTER WEST. 



From the Report of the Committee on Bulls. 



Your Committee are of the opinion that " bulls two years old 

 and upwards " are far less numerous than they should be, not 

 only at our agricultural fairs, but throughout the community 

 on our farms. 



It is the prevailing opinion, and we think a correct one, that 

 heifers are not as desirable to breed from as mature cows ; and 

 that a cow's value as a breeder does not abate till old age begins 

 to tell upon her constitution. Why does not the same principle 

 apply to bulls ? Is it not reasonable that a mature animal will 

 reproduce more vigorous stock than one that has not arrived at 

 maturity ? The principal reasons why most bulls are disposed 

 of at two years of age, are, first, they cease to be sure getters ; 

 and, second, they are liable to become vicious and troublesome. 

 We do not wonder that the first reason named so often exists. 

 Bulls are usually put to service at one year old, and often serve 

 forty or fifty cows during the first season, and, as a consequence, 

 their subsequent value for stock is quite uncertain. If bulls 

 were limited to twelve or fifteen cows the first season, and to 

 twenty-five or thirty the second season, we think there would be 

 as little cause of complaint of the sterility of a three years old 

 bull as of a yearling. There is little necessity of bulls becom- 

 ing dangerous if they are treated with uniform gentleness and 

 firmness, especially if they are broken to the yoke, as they 

 should be, when quite young. 



M. 0. Ayres, Chairman. 



From the Report of the Committee. 

 Thoroughbred Dairy Cows. — Your Chairman wishes to ask 

 some questions, and make a few suggestions. The questions 

 here presented themselves somewhat as follows : First, For 

 what purpose do agricultural societies offer premiums ? Second, 

 Does the offer of premiums by this society for thoroughbred 

 dairy cows attain all that is desired ? In regard to the first 



