Seventh Division. 



SHORTHORN STOCK. 



Whole number of entries, 16. Best Bull two years old or older, 2 ; best Bull 

 under two years old, 1; best Cow with specimen of progeny, 4; best two-year- 

 old Heifer,' 1; best yearling Heifer, 3; best Bull Calf, 2; best Heifer Calf, 1; 

 best specimen of stock (not less than four in number), 2. 



Best Bull two years old or older, Austin Holian, Great Barrington, S7 00 



M do, Noble B. Turner, Great Barrington, 5 00 



Best Bull under two years old, Frederick Abbey, Great Barrington, 5 00 



Best Cow, with specimen of progeny, Frederick Abbey, Great Barrington, 5 00 



2d do, W. H. Hubbard, Great Barrington, 4 00 



3d do, W. S.Wilcox, Sheffield, 3 00 



Best two-year-old Heifer, Frederick Abbey, Great Barrington, 4 00 



Best yearling Heifer, William S. Wilcox, Sheffield, 3 00 



2d do. Frederick Abbey, Great Barrington, 2 00 



Best Bull Calf. Noble B. Turner, Great Barrington, 2 00 



2d do, Frederick Abbey, Great Barrington, 1 00 



Best Heifer Calf, Frederick Abbey, Great Barrington, 2 00 



Best specimen of Stock (not less than four in number), William S. Wilcox, Sheffield, 7 00 



2d do, Frederick Abbey, Great Barrington, 5 00 



As expert on Durhams, perhaps a few remarks in this capacity will not be 

 untimely. It has too often been the practice at our agricultural fairs for the 

 committee or expert on cattle even, after properly considering their essential 

 points, to be almost exclusively iniluenced in their decision by the animal's 

 general appearance. Virtually this is all that has been required, and there is 

 but little doubt that this qualification has won more first premiums than all 

 others combined. 



No matter how thoroughly qualified a person is, even with the score-card, 

 there are many essential points highly valued by the breeder which cannot be 

 duly estimated in the show ring. Such as quiet and gentleness in the stable, 

 being a pleasant milker, quality and quantity of milk, good feeders, good and 

 sure breeders, freedom from garget, quiet and orderly in the pasture, etc. An 

 animal or cow possessing these qualifications in a satisfactory degree has the 

 conditions for being first-class, yet not one of these can be satisfactorily consid- 

 ered in their examination in the show ring. 



Then, again, the committee, in most cases, is expected by the society to be 

 so thorough in their examination as to pass unerring judgment, and that, too, 

 on scores of cattle in three or four hours of time. This kind of j udging is antici- 

 pated by the society each year through their expert ; but alas, since thorough- 

 bred cattle predominate at the fairs, the breeders now require a more consider- 

 ate and discriminating examination — hence the score-cards required by the 

 State Board of Agriculture of Massachusetts. At present one objection to judg- 

 ing by score-cards is a lack of uniformity in application by different judges. 

 Frojn experience, I find this in its favor: It requires a thorough, systematic 

 examination of every section, and thus credit is given only as merit requires. 

 The result shows the position of each animal. This method, when properly 

 applied, is an educator to the breeder. 



It is a common remark that the bull is one-half of the herd. This may be 

 an exaggeration. I think, however, it is safe to say that the bull is equal to two 

 cows. In either case, why would it not be policy to have a specimen of the bull's 

 progeny to be exhibited with the bull the same as the cow is required to have a 

 specimen of her progeny exhibited with her? 



What would best please the exhibitors, and what the society is aiming to 

 accomplish, is to have the awards made in strict justice. It is not only the 

 money value of the awards which is appreciated, but the awards themselves, 

 backed by the society and so discreetly made as to give them character. Then 

 there is honor and not a little pride in receiving their justly-awarded prizes. 



A. BRADLEY, Committee. 

 Eighth Division. 



JERSEY STOCK. 



Whole number of entries, 30. Best Bull, two years old or older, 4; best 

 Bull, under two years old, 3; best Cow, with specimen of progeny by her side, 

 7; best two-year-old Heifer, 3; best yearling Heifer, 5; best Heifer Calf, 4; 

 best specimen of Stock, 4. 



Best Bull, two years old or older, C. B. Benedict; Egremont, $7 00 



2d do, P. M. Shaj-lor & Son, Lee, 5 00 



3d do, C. N. Gilbert, Great Barrington, 3 0(i 



17 



