31 



which have been encouraged b}^ officers of the Hampshire Agricultural 

 Societ3\ We are rejoiced to learn that a considerable portion of the 

 stock was produced within the limits of the Societ}'. This calls to 

 mind the question we so often hear discussed : Is it better for farmers 

 to raise their stock than to buy it ? and would infer from the exhibition 

 that, practically, all successful farmers prefer raising to buying stock. 

 We should be glad to particularize in regard to many of the animals 

 exhibited, but if we commence we shall exceed our limits, and must 

 only generalize. There were on exhibition several very tine pairs of 

 working oxen and a trial of their strength, but not feeling much inter- 

 ested in seeing this useful animal put to so useless a test of his 

 strength, we did not give that part of the Fair any particular attention. 

 The dullest observer could not fail to notice the perfect symmetry of 

 those well-bred swine on exhibition, and admit their superiority when 

 compared with the long-bristled, leggy, scraggy specimens, sometimes 

 called hogs, which, passing for such, throw the whole race into dis- 

 favor and so much retard improvement in this branch of agricultural 

 industry. The exhibition of poultry was finer than ever before, and 

 as this division is growing so fast in number and quality of the entries, 

 we think it but fair that more money be appropriated for premiums. 



The display of horses was every way creditable. There were some 

 very fine driving horses, and the stallions, mares, and colts gave evi- 

 dence that the breeding of good horses was well understood and prac- 

 ticed in this neighborhood ; and it is a paying business, too, judging 

 from the price asked for some of the colls on exhibition. We noticed 

 that either the dam or sire of premium colts had some reputation for 

 speed. Among such improved stock a horse can be easily found that 

 can perform the work on the farm, and at the same time keep clear of 

 the dust of the road, having a reserve of locomotive power. The num- 

 ber of sheep on exhibition was quite small, but of the verj' best grade 

 and a credit to the exhibitors. 



In closing this report on stock we would say that these improve- 

 ments are mainl}' due to the use of none but thoroughbred males for 

 the purposes of procreation. 



L. P. Warner, 



General Reporter on Stock. 



