36 



A noble pair they were, weighing 4435 ; and while not so fat 

 as the city cattle, came as near to it as we country farmers 

 would be likely to make them. Judging from the looks of 

 the oxen, we thought they had worked a good deal more than 

 the others, but that, as a question affecting the relative gain, or 

 the expense of fattening, after allowing the value of the work 

 done, could not be determined from the statements of the own- 

 ers, which are appended to this report. 



We awarded to City farm, for oxen No. 1, the first premium 

 of $10 ; to the same, for oxen No. 2, the second premium of 

 $8 ; and to Robert P. Brown, of Peabody, the third of $4. 

 The City farm entered a fat cow that was entitled to a premium, 

 had any been offered for fat cows, but as there were none, we 

 could only recommend that a gratuity of $5 be awarded, if 

 thought best by Trustees, and we would invite the attention of 

 that board, to the subject of premiums to be offered in future, 

 for fat cows not in competition with oxen, as was done former- 

 ly, when the premium was for the " best fatted animal, whether 

 ox or cow," but in a class by themselves. y^ 



At the present time, when so many cows are fattened every 

 year, in connection with the production of milk, and as some 

 farmers claim to good advantage, — it would be well if those 

 engaged in that branch of the business might be induced, by 

 the offer of the premium referred to, to exhibit their cows, 

 and present full accounts of cost and results, both in gain of 

 weight and value of milk produced, if any, while being fattened. 



The statement in regard to City farm oxen is as follows : 

 No. 1 Cattle, five years old, weight 3900 lbs.; they were fed, 

 from May 1 to July 1, 4 qts. of meal each, per day ; from 

 July 1 to Sept. 25, 6 qts. each, witli plenty of hay, and worked 

 every day. Cost of meal fed, thirty-eight bushels, at 60 cents? 

 $22,80. 



No. 2 Oxen, seven years old, weight 4200 lbs., fed, from May 

 1 to July 1 , with six qts. meal per day ; from July 1 to Sept. 

 26, 6 qts. meal, 2 qts. shorts each, per day. Cost of meal 



