816 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



means to meet the expense of preparation. It seems to me 

 that this part of the show has but little to do with agriculture. 

 If the public taste demands a pastime of this cliaracter, let it 

 be entirely separate and distinct from our autumnal cattle 

 shows. Every young lady ought to practice horseback riding 

 for sanitary purposes, as well as for amusement, and she ought 

 to learn to sit a horse gracefully and elegantly. I would, how- 

 ever, suggest, if ladies must be exhibited for the gratification of 

 the public, and premiums offered in order to induce them to 

 enter the lists, that there be a pedestrian, rather than an eques- 

 trian performance ; let there be a track made and a prt^mium 

 oflTercd for the best female walker, and she that accomplishes it 

 the most gracefully receive the reward. This will have a per- 

 manency to it. This will last through life, for most of the young 

 ladies will find after they have taken to themselves the lords of 

 creation, and are surrounded by a family of prattlers, that most 

 of their work will have to be done on foot rather than on horse- 

 back. 



At the close of the equestrian performance, a large proces- 

 sion formed from the judges' stand, and marched to the fine 

 music of the Pembroke Band to the dining tables in the upper 

 hall, where about five hundred sat down to an excellent colla- 

 tion. After having satisfied the animal wants, the president 

 rose and welcomed the audience in a pertinent and animated 

 speech. He then introduced his excellency. Gov. Gardner, 

 and other gentlemen, who made brief and appropriate speeches, 

 filled with humor and good sense ; then followed the reading of 

 the premium list, when your delegate left for the cars. 



Wm. Parkhurst. 



