REPORTS OF COMMITTEES. 295 



Manny's machine, which possesses decided adA-antages over any 

 other on exhibition." 



The horticultural exhibition was all that could be expected ; 

 a scene where one could look with delight and satisfaction, 

 interspersed occasionally with, perhaps, a longing desire to test 

 the qualities. True, the number and varieties of peaches were 

 deficient, but their places were well supplied with pears, of 

 which there was a fine show, both in number and variety. 



The ploughing match took place early on the first day of tlie 

 show, wliicli may in part account for so few being present to 

 witness the trial. The ground was unfavorable, being heavy 

 from the recent rains, yet the work Avas remarkably well exe- 

 cuted by the fourteen competitors. 



On the evening of the second day, Hon. Levi Lincoln gave a 

 levee at his mansion, to the trustees of the State Society and 

 some invited guests. It was a pleasant social gathering, and 

 characteristic of the generous hospitality of the honored gov- 

 ernor, who, for thirty years, was president of the Worcester 

 Agricultural Society. Here was a pleasing contrast of the past 

 and the present, strengthening those links that bind succeed- 

 ing generations to those gone by. 



The exhibition of horses was the principal feature of the show 

 on the third day, and was evidently very attractive, judging 

 from the great numbers present. 



It is a question, however, Avhether horse-races properly belong 

 to an agricultural fair. A horse show should form a part of all 

 such exhibitions, and the noble animals be put to sufficient 

 motion to judge of their qualities as roadsters, or for carriage 

 horses, as well as soundness in " wind and limb ;" but to make 

 the whole show culminate in a horse-race or series of races, is 

 attended with evils which it is feared may be, sooner or later, 

 felt by our agricultural societies. A large number are attracted 

 to shows, solely to witness this spectacle, who neither know nor 

 care aught for improvements in cattle, farming implements, or 

 the products of the farm. For a time, these races may help to 

 increase the funds of a society by the increased number of per- 

 sons who will pay the fee for the purpose of enjoying the excite- 

 ment ; at the same time there is danger that the interest in 

 other and more legitimate objects of these fairs, will decrease. 



