146 MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURE. 



DAIEY STOCK. 



ESSEX. 



From the Report of the Committee. 



No matter how good-looking the individual animals in a 

 herd may be, it is their record which ought to govern the 

 Committee more than anything else, in judging. 



Statements in regard to keep and yield of cows are of 

 comparatively little value, unless they enter into the details, 

 as to the measure or weight of food, measure or weight of 

 product, manner of preparing and kind of food, time of 

 feeding, etc. Moreover, the time of calving should be always 

 stated. 



On such a basis as this, the record of two or more herds 

 may be easily compared, and a fair judgment arrived at; but 

 if loose statements and guesses are allowed, the comparative 

 merits are not easily recognized, and the public are taught 

 nothing: which can be relied on. 



We have always supposed that the object of this society 

 was, on the one hand, by awarding premiums, to encourage 

 the exhibitor ; on the other, by publishing reports, to endeavor 

 to instruct its members by giving trustworthy and valuable 

 information. That both purposes may be accomplished more 

 fully, the Committee recommend the alteration of the rule in 

 regrard to herds of milch cows, as follows : — 



For the best herd of milch cows, not less than five in 

 number, to be exhibited at the show, and a correct statement 

 in writing of manner of keeping and yield for any successive 

 six months between January 1 aud September 20 of any 

 year. Each cow must have been in milk at least three months. 

 The statement must give every detail possible, — the measure 

 or weight of grain or roots, an estimate of quantity or weight 

 of hay, the measure or weight of product in milk or butter, 

 manner of preparing and kind of food, hours of feeding, 



