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entered for the honorary notice of the society. As I understood 

 the mode of examination adopted by the committees, it was much 

 more matter of judgment than of exact measurement. In all cases 

 of grain-crops or of other crops, vvhicli admit of an accurate ascer- 

 tainment, this should be insisted upon by the society before bestow- 

 ing the premium ; and where exactness cannot be reached, it should 

 be approached as nearly as possible. In addition to this, the claimant 

 for the premium should be required to give a full and detailed ac- 

 count of his cultivation, the nature and condition of the soil, the ma- 

 nures used, quantity and kind, the quantity of seed, the kind of seed, 

 its preparation and time and manner of sowing, the after-cultivation 

 of the crop, the mode of harvesting, the use and value of the crop, 

 the whole expenses, and every important circumstance connected 

 with it. So also in regard to dairy-produce, or the rearing of live 

 stock, the whole history of the management and manufacture and pre- 

 servation of the former, and the origin, good qualities and treatment 

 of the latter, should be given before a premium should be conferred. 

 I believe this is not done. 



In regard likewise to the presentation of live stock for premium, it 

 seems to me, that the particular history of every animal should be 

 given before the animal can claim a premium. If a milch cow is 

 offered for premium the claimant should be required to state her age, 

 and parentage ; the qualities on the side of the dam for milk or butter, if 

 they can be ascertained ; the race by which she was sired ; the mode 

 of rearing her ; the time of coming in with her first calf ; the number 

 of calves she has had ; how her calves have proved if they have 

 reached an age to be tried ; her milk, its amount in any twenty-four 

 hours, or week, or month, in pounds or in cubic measure, and 

 whether ale or beer measure ; the amount of cheese made from her ; 

 or the amount of butter in any given time, or from any given quantity 

 of milk or cream ; and precisely the mode of her having been fed 

 during the time ; and how long she remains in milk. On these and 

 other particulars exact information should be sought and required. 

 So likewise in regard to a bull presented for premium, his history 

 and pedigree should be required ; and, if of an age to be ascertained, 

 the character of his stock should be reported ; their growth, thrifii- 

 ness, their feeding or milking qualities. 



No fatted animal should receive a premium unless his age, his 



