ESSEX SOCIETY. 



Working Oxen. 



Twenty entries were made. — The committee consider that 

 there are more difficulties in the way of deciding correctly upon 

 the merits of working oxen, than in any other department of the 

 exhibition. The committee on ploughing can examine the work 

 done over and again. On the dairy, they can bring specimens 

 in immediate contact. The important points in animals can be 

 placed side by side. So with domestic manufactures, with 

 fruits and flowers. Not so with working oxen. Each pair goes 

 its round, and when twenty teams have followed in succession, 

 the decision must be made from the recollection of impressions 

 made on the committee's minds at the time of drawing. If dif- 

 ferences of impressions exist as to certain trials, recollection, and 

 not actual inspection, must decide the issue. 



The ages to be brought under the notice of the committee range 

 from four to seven years ; and in making up their award, they 

 are required to take into view the size, power and training of 

 the teams. 



The power and training, with a load of any given weight, 

 are matters which must be left to judgment and fancy. But 

 size can be brought to a surer standard. And the committee 

 would here recommend that in future all cattle entered as work- 

 ing oxen should be weighed on the day of trial. 



As to age, cattle frequently pass from one to another, as being 

 younger than they really are, and as many of the working oxen 

 in this county came by purchase to their present owners, their 

 true age may not be well defined. And thus cattle may be en- 

 tered as seven years old, without any certainty that they are 

 not more. 



In order that the rule should effectually bar all entries of cat- 

 tle over seven years old, some evidence should be required more 

 than simply, they are called no more. 



The committee award to Jonathan Berry, Jr. of Middleton, 

 the first premium of $10, for his speckled face cattle, five years 

 old. They were large of the age, well formed, not full in flesh, 

 well matched as to strength and temper, and well trained for 

 cattle of that age. 



