REPORTS OF DELEGATES 



AITOINTED TO VISIT THE 



AGRICULTURAL EXHIBITIONS 



ESSEX. 



attended the annual exliibition of this society whicli was 

 held at South Danvers oii the 25th and 2Sth of September. 

 The trustees of the society had complied with the precautionary 

 recommendation of the Board, and liad declined to have an 

 exhibition of neat stock. The show of live stock was, therefore, 

 confined principally to horses and sheep, of which there was a 

 fair sliow, with probably as good specimens as are exhibited any- 

 where in the State. But I hope the day will soon come when 

 we may see at our cattle shows entries of sheep, which will 

 rival in variety and in the number of those who compete for 

 the premiums, the shows of neat stock, which have heretofore 

 engrossed so large a share of the exhibitions of this society. 

 Mr. Richard S. Fay exhibited some of his Oxford Downs, and 

 a Shearling buck of this breed, just imported, whicli weighed 

 two hundred and fifty pounds. I also noticed a Cotswold buck 

 of average size and appearance for its breed, which, I was 

 surprised to learn, was awarded the first premium. I notice in 

 the premium lists of many of our societies that a premium is 

 offered " for the best buck, of any breed," " for the best bull, 

 of any breed, <tc." Now, although it may perhaps be urged 

 by some farmers that they can select the best animal in a lot of 

 various breeds, it must still be remembered that no just com- 

 parison can be made between the best specimens of different 

 breeds, for the purposes of a premium. They are raised for 

 different purposes and have, therefore, different qualities and 

 points. No comparison can be made between a Merino buck 

 and Leicester ram, a Jersey bull and a Short-horn, any more 



