344 MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURE. 



valuable animal in each of its respective breeds; for upon this, 

 in a great measure, depends the success of the stock-grower or 

 milk-producer. 



Competitors should be reminded that, under the head of 

 ' : Milch Cows," where the product of milk or butter is the cri- 

 terion upon which to decide of their merit, that, by the rule of 

 the society, a written statement is required in relation thereto ; 

 and in no case have the committee awarded a premium where a 

 compliance with this rule has been neglected ; so that, of the 

 twenty-one on exhibition, only four were put into this list, from 

 the fact that only four statements in writing were submitted, 

 excluding, undoubtedly, stock of high rank, and that, but for 

 this omission, would have been placed in competition, under 

 this head, for the society's premiums. It is to be hoped that 

 this will be remedied in future. 



For, stock, under the head of the different breeds, no certifi- 

 cate is required ; but here, even, it would be of great service, 

 inasmuch as the committee are obliged to rely almost entirely 

 upon their own judgment and observation ; and in very many 

 cases, where the stock to be passed upon would seem to be of 

 nearly equal worth, it must be obvious that to discriminate and 

 judge justly is a most difficult undertaking. The number and 

 amount of premiums at the disposal of the committee may be 

 said to be liberal; yet we have indulged somewhat largely in 

 the award of gratuities ; it is believed, however, only in pro- 

 portion to the amount of excellence of the stock exhibited. 



There are other points that might be dwelt upon with profit 

 in connection with this subject, but which, perhaps, would be 

 more proper to come from some other source and in some 

 other form. It is to be hoped that an elaborate and well-de- 

 fined theory may be presented at some future time by the so- 

 ciety upon the selection of breed, rearing and mode of keeping 

 milch cows. At present there is so much difference of opinion 

 upon these points, among even our most prominent and well-in- 

 formed stock owners, that the conclusions to be arrived at arc 

 confused and unsatisfactory. There is also the subject of the 

 comparative value of roots for winter feed with that of corn or 

 other meal. It would be doing good service to have these, and 



