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ail opinion as, to ^Y]^ich, all things considered, is entitled to the 

 highest rank. Each have their peculiarities, and what by some 

 would be considered a defect, would, by others, be overlooked as 

 of no importance or objection ; but that some breeds, taken as 

 a whole, do possess substantial advantages over others, is a 

 fact that in the opinion of the Committee cannot be denied, and 

 hence grows the necessity of a judicious selection, not only of a 

 particular breed, but the most desirable and valuable animal in 

 each of its respective breeds ; for upon this, in a great measure, 

 depends the success of the stock grower or milk producer. 



Competitors should be reminded that under the head of " Milch 

 Cows," where the product of milk or butter is the criterion upon 

 which to decide of their merit, that by the rule of the Society, a 

 written statement is required in relation thereto, and in no case 

 have the Committee awarded a premium where a compliance 

 with this rule has been neglected. So that of the twenty-one on 

 exliibition, only four were put into this list, from the fact that only 

 four statements in Avrlting were submitted, excluding, undoubt- 

 edly, stock of high rank, and that, but for this omission, Avould 

 have been placed in competition under this head for the Society's 

 premiums. It is to be hoped that this will be remedied in 

 future. 



For stock, under the head of the diiferent breeds, no certificate 

 is required ; but here even it would be of great service, inasmuch 

 as the Committee are obhged to rely almost entirely upon their 

 own judgment and observation ; and, in very many cases, where 

 the stock to be passed upon would seem' to be of nearly equal 

 worth, it must be obvious that to discriminate and judge justly, is a 

 most difficult undertaking. The number and amount of premiums 

 at the disposal of the Committee may be said to be liberal ; yet 

 we have indulged somewhat largely in the award of gratuities, — 

 it is believed, however, only in proportion to the amount of ex- 

 cellence of the stock exhibited. 



There are other points that might be dwelt tipon with profit in 

 connection with this subject, but which perhaps would be more 

 proper to come from some other source, and in some other form. It 

 is to be hoped that an elaborate and well defined theory may be pre- 

 sented at some future time by the Society, upon the selection of 

 breed, rearing, and mode of keeping milch cows. At present 



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