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count is given of the origin, stock, weight, mode of raising, mode of 

 feeding, quantity of produce in milk, butter and cheese, and in truth 

 the proper object of such premiums, the extending of practical infor- 

 mation of which others might avail themselves, is not at all attained. 

 This is a material omission, which, I can but hope, a society so 

 eminently distinguished for its agricultural enterprise and improve- 

 ment as this, will see in its just light. 



I shall take leave i^irther to suggest, that in my opinion, the sub- 

 jects of premium proposed by the Berkshire Agricultural Society, 

 are too limited, and might be extended with great public advan- 

 tage. 



At the commencement of the institution, it appears, they began 

 with a special donation for the best farm — that is, in their own words : 

 " for the best cultivated and organized farm, the best arrangements 

 as to economy and cost of buildings, fences, farming utensils, farm 

 and fold yards, and other conveniences comprehending animals, and 

 the best systems of rearing and breeding, and the management of 

 manures, $35." This proposal seems to have been immediately 

 discontinued ; no decision upon it is recorded, and it does not ap- 

 pear to have been renewed. 



Farm-management would be a very proper subject of premium. 

 But when it is proposed that it should embrace so great a variety of 

 matters as it is generally supposed to comprehend, and as would 

 seem to be expected in what should be considered a pattern-farm, 

 few farmers have the courage to enter the lists. Few or no farms 

 combine that variety of husbandry, which is thought to be expected 

 by the society, in any farm offered for its honorary notice. Indeed 

 a large portion of our farmers are so restricted in their means, and 

 have so much to do to sustain their families, and in general no spare 

 capital to invest, that few ever aim at what may be called complete- 

 ness in farming. Instead, therefore, of requiring for premium what 

 may be called a complete system of farming, or domestic manage- 

 ment ; it would be advisable to offer premiums for excellence or 

 distinction, skill, judgment, labor and success, in specific branches of 

 husbandry. The great agricultural interests of Berkshire, are, for 

 example, the sheep and the dairy husbandry. Let as large a premi- 

 um as can be afforded, be given to the best management in these de- 

 partments. 



