738 DESIRABILITY OF VETERINARY CONTRACTS. 
Societies might do more to promote the end which they have 
in view. Some are flagging, and calling for increased support, 
some are flourishing and popular, all contribute to agreeable 
social gatherings and those pleasant interchanges of ameni- 
ties with which a county member should be the last to find 
fault ; but might not a portion of their funds be, in many in- 
stances, expended in more useful objects ? Of some of the 
prizes it may be remarked, 4 Ah ! well-a-day ! their date has 
fled.’ For instance, twenty years ago a prize for mangolds 
or swedes stimulated, perhaps introduced, the culture of 
roots, then an exceptional, in some places an unknown, crop. 
Now it only causes a race between squire A. and farmer B., 
and perhaps Mr. C., agent for some patent phospho-nitro- 
guano-make-grow manure. Of course the neighbours are 
interested, — so they would in a trotting match between their 
respective cobs, — but agriculture is as little benefited by the 
one as by the other. Of fat-stock prizes and prizes for 
breeding animals something of the same sort may be said, if 
an inferior animal which happens to be in the yard is de- 
corated with the blue ribbon when a superior one is disporting 
himself the other side of the hedge, or within a mile of the 
ground. However, the premiums offered for skill and length 
of service to agricultural labourers are excellent. They cause 
intense happiness to the recipients, and, carefully as they are 
for the most part adjudged, are no little stimulus to the many 
who take an interest in them. 
“ One question I have asked myself and others — Might 
not these local societies be the means of introducing and sup- 
porting first-rate veterinary surgeons ? In some districts 
that much-needed practitioner does not exist, in others he is 
badly supported, or merits no support at all. I w’ould sug- 
gest that the local society should elect an efficient professional 
man, give him a retaining fee, and that all its members who 
would in addition prepay him an annual sum (to be fixed 
according to the acreage or quantity of stock kept) should 
have a right to his services whenever required, on the club- 
doctor principle. 
“ Every year stock is increasing in quantity and becoming 
more valuable. I need only point to the recent sales in 
proof of it. High and artificial feeding in the animal, as well 
as in the human subject, induces disease; when taken in 
time a cure is generally easy ; if neglected, the reverse, and 
great loss in consequence, whether by the death of the patient 
or the length of time it takes to recover his condition. Most 
large owners of stock or their herdsmen understand some- 
thing of the diseases of cattle, and in common cases are as 
