314 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



minutes were given them to perform the work in. They 

 stripped off their outer garments and prepared for the conflict. 

 When the word was given, they struck in their spades and 

 labored as though all tliejr earthly hopes depended upon the 

 result. The shortest time any one did the work in, was four- 

 teen minutes, the longest, twenty-one minutes. This was a 

 novel and exciting scene to many of the spectators. I think, 

 however, spading can never come in competition with the 

 plough, particularly in breaking green sward. 



I did not witness but a small part of the drawing, but was 

 informed by those that did, that the work was well done. 

 The number of cattle exhibited for premiums was not large. 

 There were some fat cattle present. There was a fine pair of 

 oxen brought there by Mr. Goodspeed, the superintendent of 

 the State almshouse in that place, weighing between four and 

 five thousand pounds. There were a number of bulls present of 

 various breeds, some nice ones. One of the Durham blood, 

 very superior. But little young stock offered, and the num- 

 ber of dairy cows was small. One beautiful, red, hornless cow 

 was exhibited, and sold in the pen for ^125. There was not a 

 large number of swine exhibited, but some of them were fine 

 specimens of that class of animals. If there was poultry on 

 the ground, it escaped my observation. There were but few 

 lots of butter and cheese presented, but what were, judging 

 from the eyes and not the taste, gave evidence that the makers 

 of them were not unused to their business. I presume that 

 dairying cannot be carried on in Plymouth counly with as much 

 success and profit as in the more mountainous counties of the 

 State, where the soil is richer and deeper. Good pasturage is 

 indispensable in this department of husbandry. 



The afternoon was wholly devoted to the horse exhibition. 

 As this is the load-stone tliat draws people together on these 

 occasions, more than any one thing, — or perhaps all others 

 combined, — of course, the spectators were much more numer- 

 ous than in the forenoon. This scene was animating and exceed- 

 ingly exciting, as it usually is. There was a number of horses 

 entered to test their trotting powers, and to compete for the 

 premiums. Many of them trotted well, but no one performed 

 his mile in three minutes. The track is unfavorable for great 

 speed, as there is quite a hill in front of the hall. It was thought 



