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mals exhibited as some indication of the esteem in which differ- 

 ent breeds are at present held in the country. 



The office of Judge or Committeeman at an Agricultural Fair, 

 is not altogether a desirable one. If a conscientious man, the 

 discharge of his duties will cause him considerable labor and per- 

 plexity i while most likely he will get no thanks from the win- 

 ners, and forever ruin himself in the judgment and affections of 

 those who fail to get the first place. It is not usual, and would 

 often be impossible, for a committee to explain the considerations 

 which actuated them in making their awards ; but, as the class 

 was a small one, I shall try to recall our impressions of the ani- 

 mals of which it was composed. 



There were three exhibits of Jerseys — all excellent specimens 

 of their breed — of these Mr. Horton's was the smoothest, and we 

 awarded him first premium. Mr. Owen's was also a very supe- 

 rior animal, individually, and by right of descent ; but on account 

 of some blemishes, in no way affecting his usefulness, we placed 

 him second. Mr. Magill showed a very promising young bull, a 

 few days over a year old, but he was not sufficiently developed 

 to compete successfully with his more mature rivals. 



The two Holstein bulls were exceptionally good representa- 

 tives of their breed. In quality they were very evenly matched, 

 but Mr. E. S. Moore's has the advantage of a year in age and 

 development, and was accompanied by numerous creditable spec- 

 imens of his progeny, and we awarded him the first premium. 

 None the less did we consider Mr. B. M. Field's young bull a 

 strictly first premium animal. 



Mr. L. W. West exhibited a useful young Shorthorn bull of a 

 milking family, and Mr. G. W. Morgan an excellent Hereford. 



There were also several bulls of mixed blood, fully equal, in 

 the opinion of your committee, as progenitors of stock adapted 

 to the needs and conditions of Hampshire county, to the thor- 

 oughbreds ; but, as the fiat has gone forth, " Never breed from a 

 grade bull !" your committee can only express their personal 

 admiration of the moral courage and public spirit which the 

 owners of grade bulls evince by exhibiting them in the face of a 

 deeply rooted prejudice and without any chance of obtaining a 

 premium. 



