Massachusetts spy and Worcester advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1823-1825, 1824-11-03
Worcester Cattle Show, &c.
Report 3f the Con.niittee on Coas and Fat
C1ttte


ment, as applied to the uie1C of the animals Of.
fered for their inspection, and to the eridence
furnished them OF their respective merits.
Agriculturists must be aware that the most
CAREFUL examination of an animal NAV be de-
ceptiye. and che best information prove incor-
rect This remark applies to mich cows more
iorQbly than to any other animal offered for
premium. The smallest and most ordinary
lool ing COW in the farm-yard is often the most
valuable Of The flock for dairy. She also
maj be the best in the pens without attracting
particular notice, while one Of large size, and
OF commanding points and proportion, of not
halt her value, is preferred. The testimony
at the pens is seldom the best evidence the
nature Of the case admits. Not because the
owner is an interested witness, and prone, like
every body else, 10 fancy his own possessions
tn, best; but from the circumstance that the
Diary is managed by the other partner of tie
Jim, and that he has not been conversant
with the amount and quality of milk which
any COW furnishes. He is satisfied if she is
called a good COW; and probably brings her
to the Show, relying more on her fine appear
ance tlan on her intrinsic worth. These diff
fculti.s are inherent to the duty OF the COM
cases encountered. From the inattention of
the owner the committee could learn only his
name. and the age of his COW, from the ticket
furnished for the pen. This preliminary the
committee have deemed it important TO make,
that th'se who may think they could have de-
cided letter may at least be led to doubt
whether more competent judges would have
come toa more correct decision.
On th, other branch of their services, the
subject q Fat Oxen, the committee had an
easier task. The question Of the latest was
not important, as it applied only TO two be-
longing to one owner. By rule OF the Socie-
ty no person can obtain one premium for the
best and another for the next best of the same
article. The premium for the latest OK, the
committee must confess, was not adiudged to
the owner with reference to the best and
cheapest mode of fsttening, and in testimony
OF his having pre- ,lced good beef in profta-
BILE manner. as guide and stimulus to others /;
but as in part remuneration for the great trou-
BILE and expense he must have incurred in Civ.
ing attraction ard credit to the Show, and in
further demonstrating to the world the capac-
ity d our native breed Of cattle 10 become
snor:,oatsly fat and immensely large. As an
article Of God the committee are OF opinion
that the beef by the hundred weight was bet
ter year ago, and that the owner, carefully
noting the itOn,s Of eHPoneo, .~ll find by tho
result tndt, as an article OF profit, it was also
better at that time.
There is point in the fattening Of beef cat
tie, beyond which, whether for consumption
OF profit, an useless expense commences. This
point the committee believe to be when the
fat is so interpreted with the lean as to rem.
der the flesh what is termed marb!sd. The
juices, from this admixture, are then the most
eeablNblended, and the meat in its highest
excellence. The productions in weight after
this period is forced taliOao, that can be made
and purchased at comparatively a much Cheap
er rate. 1t is to be hoped, however, that lib
eral purchasers will award to the spirited own
er premium price for his beef: and that the
extra expense may be so parcelled out in the
market, as to be averaged upon the publick.
spirited consumers.
The fat Oxen submitted to the view of the
committee were but four in number; two
owned by CO.. Seth Wyman of Shrewsbury.
one by Stephen Williams, ESQ. Of Northbor-
ough, and one by John w, Hubbard, ESQ. of
Worcester The pair offered by Col. Wyman
were the latest that the committee have ever
seer exhibited. They awarded to Col. Seth
Wyman the first premium of Is dollars for his
red ox--to John w. Hubbard the Cd premium
of 10 dollars for his CRASHED OK.
Mr.. Williams's Steer, from Denton. was IN.
commonly large and well proportioned, and
exhibited the excellent points in this superiour
breed. He is unquestionably destined at au-
other season to command the first rank in the
pens. His failure IN obtaining the second pre-
MUM was not on account OF his being less val
liable in any particular than his competitor;
but from the consideration that the latter &C,
CURED his flesh in one season, after having
been worked down in series of hard labour
Nineteen cows were offered for premium.
and all, except one, of our native breed
They generally had the appearance Of extra
ordinary value, aud all gave evidence of in
trinsic worth. Their exhibition afforded adj
dtional proof that our own stock of cows needs
no other improvement than can be obtained
by careful selection aud judicious atten-
ton TO the origin and management of her
progeny.
In determining the premiums on cows, the
committee were governed by consideration
of her age-the quantity and quality of the
milk-tho expense of her keeping-how early
her milk fails-and how long she is unproduc-
tive. From these tests, so far as they could
be known, they formed their opinion. When
cow has arrived at her prime, every succeed
ing year more and more dimlnishes her value.
If a cow at four years old in all essential quail
tiles is equal to one of eight years old, she
will, most probably, at that age be superiour.
Her increase in value is an annual profit to
the owner, while the other is yearly declining.
Hence, at that age, she is deserving of higher
consideration as mich COW. The quantity
and quality of the milk, although perhaps not
peculiar to any age, is an essential inquiry. 1t
is rare occurrence if a COW greatly cxcels in
both; for il seems to be fact predicated up
on the laws of nature, that as the quantity in
creases, its quality must be diminished. The
propensity 10 drying early is an important de-
feet, but more easily counteracted in young
COW. Every farmer knows the difference in
cows as well as in the rest of his stock, with
respect to their productiveness on the same
keeping. disposition to do well on ordina-
ry fare is peculiar good trait in a COW, es-
pecially for such families as have not the