Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1867-11-22
To the Board of Executive OF
ficers Of Hancock County
Agricultural Society.

The members of the Board of Awarding
Committee on Grade Animals, assembled
on the Fair Grounds at Ellsworth, Wcdnes
day, October Cd, 1867, and having attend
ed to the duty assigned them, ask leave to
report.-I our Committee in making their
report, do not presume to give a diserta-
ton on each individual breed exhibited for
inspection, but simply to deal in facts as
presented.
To a casual observer, one can plainly
see an onward progress of improvement
in our herds. And this change. doubtless,
results from judiclous system of crossing.
If this hypothesis be true, it will account
for the gradual disappearance OF our Ma
tives, or the old Denmarks, which to a
large extent, laid the foundation of the
stock of Maine. But, though W. have al
ready an exceedingly valuable foundation
for improvement, no one will pretend to
deny that our cattle, as a whole, are sus-
ceptble of it in many respects. Each far
mer should have a specific object in stock
raising, for the OK, the shambles, or the
dairy. and carry cut the object to the very
letter. Always governed by the farmers
odage of Ayshire,-"The COW gives her
milk by the mou." slight variation from
the old German proyerb, The COW milks
only through the throat which in plain
language simply means good kcepe. There
were twelve cows on exhibition. all of
which would do honor to any farmer, to
exhibit them at any place. Admirers ol
stock would admire him, or them for the
clear perception. perseverance and care.
Your Committee aware of the nicely Of Sc
lecting tour from the number (l2) to bear
the honors of the Blue. Red and White,
cndeavored to be cautious in making the
selection. as regards all those points repre-
sented, unanimously made the following
selections. No IL, first premium; No.
&c, I'd do; No. sc, Sd do; No. 70. 4th do.
of year old heifers, the number on exhibi-
tion were very limited. The theory ofcro&s-
ing and good keeping, were plainly Wis
ihle in those animals, especially No. SO,
which would be an ornament to any Herd.
and is awarded the lst premium. The
same record is as justly applicable to No.
10. which is awarded the second premium.
Of one year old heifers, there were five on
exhibition, all grade animals, very well
proportional in all points of syme-
try and form. Your Committee. were
again compelled to make some nice dis
tinciions in order TO select the bearers OF
honor. The mantle falls on No. 40, first
premium, and No. l0l. I'd premium. OF
i year old steers, there were only two
yokcs on exhibition, all grade animals. in
symetry and form, are not often surpassed.
No. 70 awarded the first premium. No.
80 awarded the second premium. OF three
year old steers. only one yoke on cxhibi-
ton Grade Durhams, color red, beautiful
in all points, showing good keeping orna-
mcnt to any herd. No. IS. awarded the
first premium. Of two year old steers,
there were FIVE yokes on exhibition, all
grade animals, it may here be rcmarkad,
that not often, are so many two year old
steers, raised in different localities, that
will compare so favorably as a whole. 1t
being extremely difficult to make a judi
cious selection. The honors fall on No.
l03 awarded the first premium. No. SO
awarded the second premium. OF one
year old steers, there were four yokes OH
exhibition.
NATIVES AND GRAPES. This rcprescn
tation of Young stock, claims especial no.
ticc at the hands Of the committee. 1t is
a fact, that often puzzles adopts in stock
raising. that natives will often nearly or
quite compete with grade animals. 80
account for this, must be on the supposition,
that away back on the lenial descent some
pure blood drops out, which makes its
mark. In the awards Of this class of ami
nais, are two opposites, one yoke grade,