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From the herd of Mr. Smith, 3'our committee were of the opinion 

 that five cows (the number required by the society for the entry) 

 could be selected equal to those of the herd which robbed him of a 

 higher premium in consequence of his having no written statement, 

 which may teach him, as well as others who may exhibit milch cows 

 for premium, that the main thing is to show what the animals are able 

 to do. The primary object of Agricultural Fairs is supposed to be 

 to induce emulation. 



Nothing would suit your committee better than to enlarge some- 

 what upon the usefulness and absolute necessity to mankind of the 

 milch cow, and, in so doing, end their report. But the thought is 

 suggested to us that as a child must creep before it can walk, so must 

 the milch cow first be a heifer, or a heifer calf ; and that animal will 

 demand a share of oui- time and space. 



Your committee had the same trouble in this part of their service 

 as has been too often experienced by other connnittees in making- 

 awards at fairs, viz : How to make one breed of cattle compete with 

 another in the same class and give satisfaction to exhibitors, and 

 which can only be done by dividing up the money and giving the 

 premiums to the exhibitors instead of the animals. 



All of the sixteen entries of heifers were creditable ones, soon to 

 become famous with their records as milk and butter producers. 



We would be very glad to make mention here, if it were not for 

 exciting the envy of other young bovines, of the beauty of two 

 yearlings exhibited by Major H. E. Alvord, of the Massachusetts 

 Agricultural College ; but, having alluded to them, our extreme 

 modesty inclines us to say no more. 



Those who are interested in neat stock production cannot have 

 failed to have noticed the increased demand during the last four or 

 five years for new milch cows. This demand has risen because of 

 the increasing demand for milk in all of our large towns and cities, 

 and also because of the call for cows to supply cream for butter fac- 

 tories and for families. Of the latter demand it is a fact undeniable 

 that the use of cream in families has to a great extent arisen or 

 largely increased within a very short period of time. It may truth- 

 fully be remarked that the use of sweet cream as an article of diet 

 or condiment is an act of wisdom and economy, and productive of 

 health to the user. 



Upon the effect which the increasing number of butter factories or 

 creameries are having upon the production of neat stock, we cannot 



