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the limits of this Society. Wliilc cattle have decreased, cows have 

 iucrcfiscd. AVith regard to what breed of cattle is best for the far- 

 mer to raise in this vicinity is yet an open question. Some chilm the 

 Jersey is the best, others the Ayi'sliire, and some the Shorthorn. 

 While it is admitted that the Jersey is superior as a milker, yet on 

 account of its iiiCfuiior size and l)nild it is not as profitable as some other 

 breeds. The Ayrsliires have tlndr admirers on account of their 

 milking qualities and handsoins build. Some thirty years ago IMr. 

 Luke Sweetser of Amherst introduced a beautiful herd of slick, 

 handsome A3'rshire cows into our Society which wei'e admired by all 

 visitors. He has retained them unto the present day and lias been a 

 firm advocate of that breed, taking much pains to introduce them 

 into general use. The Dutch have been introduced to a limited 

 extent by the Agricultural College and thus far have proved good 

 milkers. Their large size and handsome build recommends them 

 both tor milk and beef. At our last fair throe-fourths of all the 

 stock eiitei'ed was of the grade Shorthorn. We had twenty-two 

 calves exhibited at the last fair; this is a ste]) in the I'ight direction, 

 for the time has come when the farmers should raise their own stock 

 rather than depend upon a supply from other localities. We were 

 sorrv to see so poor a show of sheep, only Ibrty being exhibited ; tho 

 number was far behind former exhibitions. Tliis is a matter for the 

 farmer to investigate. The exhibition of swine was one of the best 

 we ever had, numbering seventy, of the breeds, Polaud-C'hii a, 

 Berkshire, Chester-white, and others. This is a little singular when 

 pork is as low as it has ever been at any lime for lorty years, yet we 

 lind the farmer introducing new breeds and improving upon the swine 

 of former vears. Farmer Southwick of the Agricultural College 

 exhibited six beautiful Berkshires whicii attracted considerable atten- 

 tion. The interest in poultry seems to be increasing, sixty coops of 

 fine fowls being exhibited. On the whole we think the exhibition as 

 good, and in some points superior, to other exhibitions. 



Respectfully yours, 



AUSTIN EASTMAN. 



