In accordance with the laws of the State, and the rules of the Society, both in the best interests of the stock breeder, the Committee declined to consider the claims of any animal whose owners neglected to furnish "a written or printed statement of pedigree."

By order of the Committee,

HENRY SALTONSTALL, Chairman.

MILCH COWS.

The Committee on Milch Cows submit the following report: For the best Milch Cow of any age or breed, with satisfactory record of her daily yield of milk for one or more years, -to William A. Russell, of Lawrence, the Society's special premium, for his Holstein cow "Lady Clifden," $25.

To this award the Committee think proper to annex Mr. Russell's statement, as follows:

"Lady Clifden. No. 159, H. H. B. Imported from Midnond, North Holland, by Wm. A. Russell, October, 1874. Now eight years old. Dropped calf Feb. 1, 1875.

1875. Record of milk, twelve months, from Feb. 3, 1875:

or 7745 quarts in 363 days. Average, 2113 quarts per day."

1876. "Dropped her calf May 8, 1876. Due to calve, April 4, 1877. Record of milk from May 23 to Sept. 1st, as follows:

Largest yield in any one day, 75 lbs., or 35 5-7 quarts." One of the committee witnessed the milking of this cow, one evening of the last summer, and confirms the truthfulness of the foregoing statement.

For the best Milch Cow, foreign, native, or grade, not less than four nor more than ten years old,-to Geo. W. Russell, of Lawrence, for his Jersey cow "Nellie Blenn, 2d,” A. J. Herd Book. No. 1148. First premium, $12.

Due to calve, Oct. 12, 1876.
Average per day, 29 1-2 qts.

The following statement was submitted by Mr. Russell :Dropped calf, Nov. 13, 1875. Nov., (15 days,) 442 quarts. December, January, 1876,

66

66

837 66

66

27

744

66

66

66

24

66

Her feed to 20th of May was clover, two quarts of meal and four quarts of shorts. From 20th of May to August 1, pasture only. Since August 1, two quarts of meal and four quarts of shorts.

Second premium, for best Milch Cow, $9, to Wm. A. Russell, for his Holstein cow "Maud Marion," No. 181, H. H. B.

This cow is four years old. Dropped her first calf January 28, 1875. In twelve months, as appears from statement made to the committee, she gave 11,112 quarts. Dropped second calf July 8, 1876. From July 12th to Sept. 1st, averaged 24 quarts per day. Feed, pasture and three quarts of grain per day.

For best thoroughbred Jersey,-first premium, to Francis R. Appleton, of Ipswich, $12, for his cow "Islip, 3d," No. 1883, A. J. C. C. Register.

For the cow that makes the most butter in any single week,— first premium, to Charles J. Peabody, Topsfield, $12.

H. G. HERRICK, Chairman.

HERD OF MILCH COWS.

For the best herd of Milch Cows, not less than five in number, to be exhibited at the show, and a correct statement of manner of keeping and yield for the six months preceding given. 1st premium, $18; 2d premium, $12, 3d prem., $10.

The exhibitors were George W. Russell, Lawrence, and Charles J. Peabody, Topsfield.

Members of the Committee present, besides the Chairman, D. G. Todd, Wm. C. Sleeper, and E. G. Berry; and they were unanimous in their opinion that the statements did not comply with the above rule, and were therefore unable to award the premiums; but recommend that gratuities of $12 be given to both competitors.

This rule is subject to two interpretations: one, that the yield for the whole or any part of the six months may be given. Carrying out this principle, a cow may have been in milk only a week, or may have been dry all the time. The other, that the cows must have been in milk during the whole six months.

Your Committee took the latter interpretation. In conver

sation with officers and members of the Society, they found that some agreed and others differed with their judgment.

Our regulations ought to be so plain that he who "runs, may read," and understand; and we do not admit that the above rule is one of that kind, as is shown by the different interpretations which may and have been put upon it. Moreover, it is not sufficiently explicit, it is too general, it does not require the minutiæ of management, keeping, etc.

We have examined the reports of our Society for the last five years, and have not found one statement of manner of keeping and yield from which the reader would derive any special advantage or instruction.

Here is the statement of one year :

"Their keeping since June has been grass. They have averaged 10 quarts of rich milk per day, and from 45 to 50 pounds of butter per week during the season of grass;" yet on such a bare and incomplete record as this, the first premium was awarded.

In another year the first premium was awarded to a herd of cows with regard to whose manner of keep and yield there is no statement whatsoever.

Does not this show, either that this rule is considered of no consequence, or that its meaning is not understood?

No matter how good looking the individual animals in a herd may be, it is their record which ought to govern the Committee more than anything else, in judging.

Statements in regard to keep and yield of cows are of comparatively little value, unless they enter into the details, as to the measure or weight of food, measure or weight of product, manner of preparing and kind of food, time of feeding, etc. Moreover, the time of calving should be always stated.

On such a basis, as this, the record of two or more herds may be easily compared, and a fair judgment arrived at; but if loose statements and guesses are allowed, the comparative merits are not easily recognized, and the public are taught nothing which can be relied on.

We have always supposed that the object of this Society was, on the one hand, by awarding premiums, to encourage the exhibitor; on the other, by publishing reports, to endeavor to instruct its members by giving trustworthy and valuable information. That both purposes may be accomplished more fully, the Committee recommend the alteration of the rule in regard to herds of Milch Cows, as follows:

For the best herd of Milch Cows, not less than five in number, to be exhibited at the show, and a correct statement in writing of manner of keeping and yield for any successive six months between January 1st and September 20th of any year. Each cow must have been in milk at least three months. The statement must give every detail possible,-the measure or weight of grain or roots, an estimate of quantity or weight of hay, the measure or weight of product in milk or butter, manner of preparing and kind of food, hours of feeding, when last calf was dropped. The weight or measure of milk must be taken each week and stated in writing, then an average of the whole time may be given. An exact record of the daily yield of each cow would be preferred. 1st premium, $18; 2d premium, $12; 3d premium, $10.

An additional premium is also recommended. For the best herd of Milch Cows, not less than five in number, with statement as above, only extending over the period of one year. Each cow must have been in milk at least six months. premium, $20. Second premium, $15.

First

If we make a comparison between the two statements handed to the Committee, we find that Mr. Peabody enters more into the details of management, etc., gives the time when the last calf was dropped-a very important matter. His cows yielded 378 pounds of butter and 550 quarts of milk. Allowing 12 quarts of milk to one pound of butter, the whole yield in milk would be 5086 quarts. Supposing the record of yield was made up to about Sept. 20th: