324 MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURE. 



awarded by the committee, or approved by the directors, ex- 

 cept upon satisfactory evidence in writing. Now, then, this be- 

 comes a matter of bargain and contract between the parties; 

 and is there any just claim upon the society until the condi- 

 tions are fulfilled ? The bare declaration, that a certain cow 

 has produced twenty pounds of butter in one week, is unsatis- 

 factory testimony, not because it is doubted, but because it is 

 not sufficient. The breed of the animal, her age, the quantity 

 of milk in quarts and pounds daily, and how she was fed during 

 the time of trial, are a part of the evidence, as full of impor- 

 tance to the society as the fact of her uncommon product of 

 butter. These are the facts which we should feel proud, 

 through our annual report, to communicate to the Board of 

 Agriculture ; and if they exist, there is no satisfactory reason 

 for their concealment. 



The remark often made as an apology for non-compliance 

 with the requirements of the society, that it is too much trou- 

 ble, or it was not convenient, is too puerile for any judicious 

 person ever to offer. If the premium were even a gratuitous 

 oifering, the individual would be amply compensated for all his 

 time and trouble in obtaining the facts by the possession 

 of them. Had one of the successful contestants given his 

 assertion, and pledged his integrity to the committee for its 

 veracity, that the product of milk from his cow for one year 

 had realized to him more than two hundred dollars, it might 

 have enlarged the pupils of their eyes, but it would have caused 

 a tingling in their ears. Sustained as the declaration is by 

 figures, it now becomes a fact on sight ; and the statement is 

 given in detail, that every one disposed may estimate for him- 

 self the " trouble and inconvenience " of keeping such a memo- 

 randum for twenty days, as also the value of the reward of- 

 fered for it in the premium list. Most of the statements fur- 

 nished give only the number of pounds of milk per diem ; some 

 state that the milk was sold, but whether by the pound or quart 

 is not mentioned. One-half of the trouble of keeping a memo- 

 randum was thus overcome by weighing it; the remainder 

 when the milk was sold, if sold by measure. 



The suggestion oflercd by the committee, that all competitors 

 should be required to give one or more days' milk to a trial of 



