SHEET. 



97 



induced to embark in this profitable branch of agricul- 

 ture, especially while iimtton and wool commands the 

 present high prices ; and also in the uncertainty that 

 prevails since the cattle disease was brought into the 

 Commonwealth. 



Your Committee regretted that written statements 

 were not presented by all of the exhibitors, as every 

 item of information in regard to profit and loss, in this 

 methodical and systematic age, is desirable and interesting, 

 particularly to the farmer, who of all others is looking 

 for that which is practical, instead of that which is 

 visionary and unreal. We annex to this report a state- 

 ment from Mr. Joel Hayward, of Ashby, in relation to^ 

 his flock, which, by the way, we did not consider the 

 first, or even the second in excellence. This gives us 

 an idea of the profit in raising this valuable animal. We 

 believe a practical statement like this, from one of our 

 farmers, has a greater influence among agriculturists 

 than an elaborate report, and we recommend that in 

 future they be strictly required from competitors for 

 your premiums. 



The Committee award the following premiums : 



FLOCKS. 



1st, to N. L. Eaton, of Ashburnham, $6,00 



2d, to James Mclntire, of Fitchburg, 4,00 



3d, to Humphrey Harris, of Ashburnham, 2,00 



Joel Hayward, of Ashby, a gratuity, 2,00 



COSSETTS. 



1st, to J. C. Davis, of Ashburnham, 2,00 



2d, to James Mclntire, of Fitchburg, 1,00 



3d, to N. L. Eaton, of Ashburnham, ,50 



Benj. SalTord, of Fitchburg, a gratuity, ,50 



Allen B. Wood, of Westminster, a gratuity, ,50 



L. H. BRADFORD, Chairman, 



