O N AV O R K i N G C A T T L E . 55 



of impressions exist as to certain trials, recollection and not 

 actual inspection must decide the issue. 



The ages to be brought under the notice of the Committee, 

 range from four to seven years ; and in making up their award 

 they are required to take into view the size, power and train- 

 ing of the teams. 



The power and training with a load of any given weight, 

 are matters which must be left to judgment and fancy. But 

 size can be brought to a surer standard. And the Committee 

 would here recommend that in future all cattle entered as 

 Working Oxen should be weighed on the day of trial. 



As to age, cattle frequently pass from one to another, as 

 being younger than they really are, and as many of the 

 Working Oxen in this County came by purchase to their pres- 

 ent owners, their true age may not be well defined. And thus 

 cattle may be entered as seven years old, without any cer- 

 tainty that they are not more. 



In order that the rule should effectually bar all entries of 

 cattle over seven years old, some evidence should be required 

 more than simply, they are called no more. 



The Committee will name a few pair of cattle they consid- 

 er prominent among those to which no premium was award- 

 ed. 



' A pair belonging to Barzillai Gould, of Middleton — the first 

 pair entered and the last pair which drawed. Small red cat- 

 tle, reported five years old. They drawed the last load up the 

 hill as well as any pair, considering their size, and were well 

 matched as to temper, which could be said of but few pair ex- 

 hibited. 



A pair belonging to Jedediah H. Barker, of Andover. Age 

 five years ten months. One of them, the near one, a fine ox, 

 surpassed by a very few, if by more than one. 



A pair belonging to Randall Andrews, of Ipswich, reported 

 six years old. Not fancy cattle, but worked finely. 



A pair belonging to Manasseh Brown, of Ipswich, a pair of 

 twins, reported six years old, fine red cattle, said to be handy 

 both ways ; they worked in a short yoke, and drawed well. 

 The near ox crowded, it might be he was foot sore as they 



