REPORT ON MILCH COWS. 



Selfishness is not only a prominent, bnt, in some sense, an indis- 

 pensable attribute of animated being under the present dispensation ; 

 and it is an important mission of Agricultural and other societies so 

 to cultivate and direct this propensity that each individual shall be 

 stimulated to work earnestl}- and intelligently for the welfare of the 

 community. 



To this end the Hampshire Agricultural Society offers premiums 

 for the best horses, cows, sheep, swine, fowls, plows, pickles, and 

 patchwork quilts ; and b}' the addition of a little trotting, some music 

 and considerable eloquence, tries to attract as many as possible to 

 admire and emulate the farmers success, and to stud}' and discuss 

 the means by which the best results have been or may be attained. 



The Society also offers five premiums for reports by the Commit- 

 tees of Award ; and these, I presume, are intended to elicit such 

 criticisms, observations and suggestions, as may point out and im- 

 press the lessons ..-f the past exhibition and help and guide the So- 

 ciety', managers, exhibitors and visitors, to make each succeeding 

 fair more enjoyable and profitable. 



The first day of the Thirty-fourth Annual Cattle Show and Fair 

 of the Hampshire Count}- Agricultural Society, was fortunate in 

 many of the essential features of a farmer's festival. The weather 

 was delightful, the exhibition of stock, vegetables, fruits and indus- 

 trial products of all kinds was full and admirable, the dinner was 

 good and well served, and the speeches were short, pertinent and in- 

 teresting. 



But the delegates from the State Board of Agriculture asked, 

 " Where are the people? " 



The true and simple reply would have been, " Most of them are at 

 home, getting ready for the horse show." The average fair-goer 



