38 MILCH COWS. 



Thej were unanimously of opinion that no one of the ten possess- 

 ed sufficient merit to be ranked with the IdglieU order of cows, and 

 had serious doubts as to the poHcj or propriety of recommending 

 that the first premium should be awarded to any one of the compet- 

 itors. They have no hesitation in saying that it was a meagre show 

 of cows, which did no credit to the County of Essex. After giving 

 the matter all the consideration which their hmited time allowed, 

 the committee have concluded to recommend the following awards, 

 viz : — 



The first premium, of |10.00, to John Perkins, of South Danvers. 

 The 2d premium, of ^9.00, to Philip K. Rogers, of Byfield. 

 The 3d premium, of ^8.00, to Wm. H. Wolcott, of Danvers. 

 The 4th premium, of $7.00, to Hiram Brown, of Ha/erhill. 



They also recommend that mileage be paid to Robert Farley, Jr., 

 of Ipswich, for his cow with twin calves. 



In connection with the statement of the award of premiums, the 

 committee beg leave to make a few suggestions. A leading object 

 — perhaps it is not too much to say the leading object — of this and 

 other Agricultural Societies in the State, has been to imi^rove our 

 milch coivs. The Massachusetts Society, older in years and strong- 

 er in resources than the County Societies, has at times devoted a 

 large proportion of its income to this object. Individuals, too, who 

 were possessed of ample means and enlarged views — very much 

 desiring to accomplish the same object — have made liberal expen- 

 ditures in the purchase of improved English cattle, in order thereby 

 to compass the end at which all were aiming — the im'provement of 

 our stock for dairy purposes. Improved Short Horns were intro- 

 duced long ago. Ayrshires, North Devons, and to some extent 

 Herefords, have been acclimated in New England for a series of 

 years. More recently, the Island of Jersey has furnished us with 

 large numbers of Alderneys, so that the opportunities of cross- 

 breeding with these diiferent varieties of imported animals are, and 

 for a long time have been, within the reach of every farmer, wheth- 

 er he be rich or poor. With these means of improvement furnished 

 to his hand, the farmer has had, in addition to the stimulus held 

 out by the liberal annual premium lists of agricultural societies, 

 that ever present and most powerful incentive, his own personal 

 interest, which under ordinary circumstances drives him to take 



