STOCK. 251 



premiums to the amount of six hundred dollars during the past 

 year for the best dairy stock. These premiums were offered 

 through the medium of the Middlesex, Berkshire, Worcester, 

 and Bristol County Societies, to whom it was left to decide 

 upon the details of the competition and to adjudicate between 

 the competitors. In Berkshire and Worcester the premiums 

 were awarded and paid. In Middlesex no stock was exhibited 

 which was considered worthy of a prize. In Bristol there was 

 no competition. 



The trustees of this society have recently resolved to con- 

 tinue these premiums in Bristol and Middlesex counties for 

 another year, and also to offer them in Norfolk county, in Es- 

 sex county, in the three river counties combined as one district, 

 and in Plymouth and Barnstable united as a single district. 

 For this purpose they have appropriated the sum of nine hun- 

 dred dollars for the present year. 



With a further view of testing the effect of competition in 

 improving the breed of dairy stock, they have voted to make 

 arrangements for a general show of dairy stock from all parts 

 of the State for the year 1856 under the direction of the 

 Worcester County Agricultural Society, at which premiums will 

 be offered of an amount not less in the aggregate than twelve 

 hundred dollars. 



The trustees have also taken pleasure in complying with the 

 request of the Board of Agriculture by placing one of their 

 finest Jersey bulls at their disposal, to be kept at the farm 

 connected with the State Reform School, and also by contribut- 

 ing by vote of a hundred dollars towards the expense of agri- 

 cultural lectures. 



It is hoped that in this brief statement there will be found a 

 sufficient assurance that the State Society is disposed to co- 

 operate with the Board of Agriculture to the extent of its 

 means in promoting the great interests in whose behalf both 

 associations were established, and which are vitally connected 

 with the prosperity and welfare of our beloved Commonwealth. 



The Jersey stock belonging to the society still continues 

 under the care of Mr. Motley. The following communication 

 from that gentleman furnishes additional evidence in proof of 

 the value of that breed for the dairy, as well as of its endur- 



