DAIRY PRODUCTS. 225 



more than pay cost of her keeping and any fall in price. I 

 sometimes sell old hens when they get through sitting, if I can 

 put their chickens under another hen ; but I don't like to unless 

 late in the season and they are too old to winter. The hen- 

 house in winter should be warm, open to the south, and have 

 a sheltered " scratching place " near. Good hens can be made 

 to pay three dollars per year over their keeping. I give no 

 credit for manure, but I let that and the convenience of having 

 fresh eggs or chickens when wanted balance the labor. I charge 

 no interest, as in five months they pay it faster than it comes 

 due. 



DAIRY PRODUCTS. 



MIDDLESEX NORTH. 



From the Report of the Committee. 

 We regret to say that we did not find a larger number of 

 competitors for the society's premiums ; for we cannot under- 

 stand why all igood dairy women should not only feel a strong 

 desire to present the best results of their* honorable calling, 

 but should possess a conscious pride in exhibiting the rich and 

 beautiful fruits of their industry, and thus directly promote 

 the best interests of the association to which by right and privi- 

 lege they belong. For here, especially, numbers indicate inter- 

 est and have their weight of influence ; so that instead of finding 

 only eight entries, we should have been glad to have found at 

 least three times eighth — not that any more could have received 

 honorable mention from the society, but all could have the 

 satisfaction of declaring to the appreciating multitude their 

 own personal merits as housekeepers, for it is true in all 

 things that " work reveals character." Besides, we hold that 

 no one should be afraid or ashamed to exhibit the best specimen 

 of his or her handiwork, though it may not equal that of others. 

 If he has any heart in his work, by comparing it with others he 

 may get the information and incentive that will enable him to 

 excel in the future. So we would say to all farmers and their 

 wives, all men and maidens engaged in agriculture, — the noble 



29* 



