HAMPS., FRANK. & HAMPD. SOCIETY. 261 



The show of bulls was never superior, in quality or number. 

 The different breeds on exhibition were the Durham, the 

 Devon, the Hereford, and the Ayrshire. These beautiful and 

 superior breeds show that the farmers are awake to their inter- 

 ests, and will be slow to allow their stock to degenerate, either 

 in beauty or profit. Their docility and symmetry were espe- 

 cially marked, which always merits and receives approbation 

 in such animals. 



Of miscellaneous stock there were only four entries, — two 

 pair of twins, large and nice, and seven yearlings, offered by 

 Benjamin Coit, of Norwich, which reflect much credit upon 

 their breeder. Under this class a cow, offered by T. G. Hunt- 

 ington, of Hadley, merited, as it received, a premium of ^3. 



In respect to sheep, your committee regret that no more at- 

 tention is paid to the growth of this timid yet profitable ani- 

 mal, as no stock will better enable the farmer to educate his 

 children or pay his taxes. Farms that are often taken up for 

 rotation of crops are peculiarly adapted to this animal. Some 

 of the specimens exhibited were of superior quality ; others, 

 especially adapted by their heavy fleeces for course fabrics, and 

 for the shambles, may be a source of profit to the farmer, par- 

 ticularly the Cotswold breed. They are said to be very quiet 

 in their habits, which induces fatness, and we see not why 

 they are not the animal for the farmer. 



In reference to swine, your committee are happy to say, that 

 this exhibition exceeded that of all former fairs. There were 

 ten entries, and all of the first class — trim, having small bones 

 and small ears, and not of the Albany breed, with ears like 

 corn fans, and built for racers, but having short noses and 

 short limbs, looking for all the world the very personification 

 of lazy, fat porkers. 



Finally, we would say to the farmers of this society, be 

 watchful in the improvement of the breeds of your stock, so 

 that it shall become a source of profit to yourselves, and to the 

 generations who shall succeed you. This society can and 

 ought to exhibit as fair specimens as can be found in this 

 country ; and if there be no abatement in your endeavors to 

 improve your stock, you will go on as you have done, improv- 

 ing and profiting yourselves and your neighbors on all sides of 

 you. Go on and prosper. 



