75 



had been made to test their strength, thcj were hitched to a stone 

 drag and drew the whole load with as much ease as did the oxen 

 on a cart. We recommend that in future, horses be allowed to 

 compete with oxen, by an equal load on a cart. 



The oxen exhibited great bottom in drawing, but in backing it 

 was hardly satisfactory, owing, as we think, to defective training 

 and the want of skill on the part of their drivers. Unnecessary 

 whipping, and especially pounding about the head or on any other 

 parts of the body, arc not only unwise, but barbarous, in the ex- 

 treme ; and no m.an who practices such cruelty, or allows it in his 

 driver, should be entitled to a premium. If they have been 

 properly trained and are skilfully driven, the patient oxen will 

 do all that can be reasonably required. 



We award the following premiums : 



First premium of $8 to Benjamin White, of Milton. 

 Second premium of ^G to Luther Eaton, of Dedham. 

 Third premium of ^4 to Silas G. Williams, of Needham. 

 Fourth premium of $3 to Horace and Moses Whiting, of 

 Dedham. WxiLTER H. FISHER, Chairman. 



Franklin, Nov. 25, 18G1. 



REPORT ON STEERS. 



Whole number of entries, three. 



For best pair three-year-old and imder four — First premium of 

 $5 to James P. Clark, of Medway — (raised by him.) 



For best pair tivo-year-old and under three — First premium of 

 $5 to G. R. and W. R. Mann, of Sharon — (raised by them.) 



One pair of twin steers were entered by E. E. Cowles, of Mil- 

 ton, four months old, for which no premium was offered by the 

 Society ; but the Committee recommend the award to him of a 

 diploma. LUTHER EATON, Chairman. 



Dedliam^Sept. 25, 1861. 



REPORT ON SHEEP. 



The Committee on Sheep Avould respectfully report that for 

 several years they have come seeking sheep, but finding none. 

 The present year they are happy to find that although the ninety- 

 aud-nine may be lost in the wilderness, there was at least one that 



