The Massachusetts spy, and Worcester County advertiser. [volume] ([Worcester, Mass.]) 1825-1831, 1826-11-15
1grtculfttrd(.
Worcester County Agricultmol
Society.

RepOTt on sHltch COlcS and RAT Cattle.
The Committee appointed Judges on Mich
Cows and Fat Cattle -Report--that they have
'rith Sfedt IneeAuIuess attended t. the duties
assigned lhem; the performance Of which
was no less arduous than delicate, from the
number and equality OF the conflicting claims
presented TO their view, and ultimately to
their decision. The qualification, however,
which the committee received in viewing the
ANIMALS presented 10 their notice, together
with detail of the manner in which their
owners had fed them, and of the product cG
the cows the past season, have amply COM
pensated US for our trouble, and made, what
might otherwise have been talk, pleasure.
1t becomes our daty however to state, and
1t may not be improper TO do it thus early,
that the competitors for premiums were too
generally, and some of them totally, deficient
IN making statement of the manner and
kind of feed, and the quantity and quality OF
product--they owe it to the committee and to
themselves to be more particular in this re-
spec., since the want o. it leaves 10 the judg-
es, too much for conjecture, and sometimes
occasions, 10 those best entitled 10 il, the loss
Of premium.
The extraordinary size and fatness of some
oxen, and the bountllul product Of some cows,
naturally led to the supposition, that extraor-
binary keeping has been bestowed upon
them ard for which, unless carried 10 an ex-
tremc, they rarely fail to furnish an adequate
compensation.
The fattest cattle and most productive cows
are generally selected and placed in the pens
for exhibition and for premiums.-lt would be
gratifying to know, what is the general ap
pearance and quality of the residue of the
glr IL \ l,
premiums at our shows.
There is reason TO suppose there have been
instances, in times past, where some of the
cattle of our good farmers have suffered for the
want of portion of that high feeding, which
has caused ertreme suffering to select few,
whose owners have stuffed them to an unu-
Sual degree. There is no doubt there are
many mich cows in this county, equal, if not
superior, to any that have ever been exhibit
ed here, whose owners are induced TO keep
them at home on account Of their distance
from the show, and from an apprehension that
others will be there, that will be preferred be-
fore them. For some reason the number Of
competitors for premiums on mich cows is
comparatively very few, considering the num-
Der OF good cows with which our pastures a.
bound. This competition is mostly confined
" liOSG WkD i've III tle FlCl'llly U TIE SHOW,
and who keep but few if more than one
COW. II is 10 be regretted, that, in county
possessing so many fine animals of this de-
scription, any thing should operate to lessen
the advantages arising from competition.
The produce of our diaries does not depend
more upon the number of COWS that are kept,
than on their qualify and hoU they are kept.
Those who early stock and Deer stock their
pastures, need not be disappointed, if their
cows ere nnproductive and miserably poor
and though they may number more than some
Of their more economical neighbors, the sight
Of them but serves TO offend the eye, if the
ear is not annoyed by the rafting of their dry
bones.--Milch cows are difficult animals TO
decide upon-they furnish more than " five
points, for. consideEation--colour, form, size,
lean or flesby bag, close or wde-set teats-
and the size Of the teats are among the most
prominent external qualities by which COW
is TO b0 judged-the eye may be satisfied
with seeing, bat more than can be seen is re-
q,tired. External appearances are often de-
ceptive; the mind must be further informed,
that the judgment, when pronounced, may
be correct-other qualities are sought for, age
docility of temper, and gentleness of DISPOSE.
J ton, the quantity and quality of the milk,