REPORTS OP COMMITTEES. 287 



ESSEX. 



Agreeably to appointment, as delegate from the State Board 

 of Agriculture to the Essex County Agricultural Society, I 

 attended to the duty assigned me, and submit the following 

 report. 



The annual exhibition was held this year, at the city of 

 Newburyport, on the first and second days of October. The 

 weather was delightful, and an immense concourse of people — 

 estimated at twenty-five thousand or more — attended ; such a 

 crowd as this quiet city rarely witnesses, notwithstanding which, 

 good order prevailed, and not a sign of disturbance appeared. 



The first day was occupied by the several committees in 

 examining the various articles and awarding the premiums, 

 leaving the second day for jubilee, and happy reunion of the 

 members of the society, entertaining invited guests, strang- 

 ers, &c. 



The large number of manufactured articles, the fruits, 

 vegetables and flowers, etc., were tastefully arranged in the 

 city hall, while cattle, horses, swine and fowls enjoyed a 

 vacant lot at a little distance. 



In another part of the city about a mile and a half distant, 

 the ploughing match was held, where twenty double, and eleven 

 single teams of horses and oxen valiantly contested the noble 

 art, and the way the Michigan, side hill, double swivel, deep 

 tiller, subsoil and other ploughs, went through the land, was 

 a perfect wonder to the uninitiated citizens. 



It seemed this was the great attraction of the day, and inter- 

 ested thousands of persons, among whom many distinguished 

 individuals might be seen, of whom the Hon. George Peabody, 

 late from London, attracted much attention ; truly, where such 

 are interested in the ploughing match, the occupation must be 

 worthy and noble. 



The handsome amount of one hundred and twenty dollars 



