BEPORTS OF COMMITTEES. 



FAT CATTLE. 



The Committee on Fat Cattle, present the following report. 

 The oxen exhibited by the City Farm of Salem, were unusual- 

 ly good, those that received the first premium, were so nearly 

 equal, in all good points, that, as one member of the committee 

 remarked, it was hard to say which was the best ox. It was a 

 matter of surprise to us, that oxen could be made so fat with 

 so little extra cost for food. The remark was made by a 

 butcher on the committee, that being cared for at the public 

 expense worked well for oxen, whether it did for paupers or 

 not. (It being understood that the Superintendent of the City 

 Farm had seen service at an institution, which has been 

 charged with not so feeding and caring for its inmates as to 

 put them in good condition for public inspection.) 



The statements of Mr. Barker would show a large profit on 

 fatting cattle, even in Salem. We regret that the weight of 

 the oxen in May last, was not given. Some of the committee 

 were of the opinion that at that time, most farmers would have 

 called them good beef, 



We suggest, if it meet the approval of the trustees, that, in 

 future, the statements concerning fat cattle, shall give the 

 weight and value of the same at the commencement of fatting, 

 the cost of the food, and the manner of feeding. At the pres- 

 ent time, when horses are taking the place of oxen, on so 

 many of the farms of the County, it is a matter of interest to 

 know if many of us can, at an expense of $22, so fatten a 

 yoke of oxen that a gain of t|40 to $60, can be made on them 

 in a season ; as Mr. Barker says his oxen worked hard all the 

 time, it is fair to assume that the work paid for the hay. 



Mr. Brown, of Peabody, had the largest oxen on the ground. 



