40 MASSACHUSETTS AGRICULTURE. 



The collection of photographs, including photographs fin- 

 ished in crayon, was excellent. Unfortunately there was but 

 one exhibit. It is much to be desired that in future exhibi- 

 tions there should be a more general response in this depart- 

 ment. To that end, it would be well to add to the clause 

 which limits the space of such exhibits to four feet square 

 the qualifying phrase, "unless there shall be ample space un- 

 occupied." The limitation above referred to is known to have 

 kept away from this exhibition one collection of photographs 

 for which there was no lack of room. 



Very few mechanical drawings were presented; but those 

 few were of marked excellence. In Fitchburg, where so many 

 such drawings are daily used in the shops, there should be 

 many to compete for this premium. 



The school exhibit was this year better than ever before. 

 The numerous designs, ranging through the various grades of 

 schools, were especiall}' ingenious ; and those from the higher 

 grades were marked by good taste, careful execution, and 

 a practical aim. This latter feature was demonstrated by 

 articles manufactured from some of them. There were also 

 good representatives of drawing from the cast, and of color- 

 ing. It was easy for the observer to rliscover why Fitchburg 

 was one of the three cities which in common received the 

 highest award at the last annual exhibition of drawings from 

 the various cities of the Commonwealth. That rigid critic of 

 students' work, Walter Smith, principal of the Normal Art 

 School, was Olio of the number to pronounce these very draw- 

 ings " excellent.'" On examination, there was discernible 

 much less difference among the various schools of the same 

 grade than would be expected; but between the works of 

 individual scholars differences were plain. Your Committee 

 notice with regret that no school exhibits from other places 

 than Fitchburg were offered. They are confident that this 

 department of the Society's exhibition is, by its stimulating 

 inlluence, capable of aiding materially in the improvement 

 of school drawings in other towns. They would therefore 

 suggest that the secretary of the Society, or the chairman of 

 this Committee, be authorized to address within a few weeks 

 a circular to the towns within our district, inviting prepa- 

 rations for a general exhibit of school drawings next year. 

 Since the main motive of our whole art exhibition is edu- 



