REPORTS OF DELEGATES. 175 



of September last, I attended to that duty, aiid submit the fol- 

 lowing Report : — 



The weather upon that day was unpropitions, strongly indi- 

 cating rain until about one o'clock in the afternoon, when the 

 sun came out, dispelling the fears that wet weather would 

 interfere with the pleasure of the occasion. I arrived upon the 

 grounds occupied by the society for the exhibition of stock, 

 about nine o'clock. From the large collection of people who 

 thronged the village, it seemed that the surrounding towns had 

 turned out en masse to celebrate the holiday, denoting that the 

 people were interested in the fundamental occupation of the 

 human race — agriculture. These annual exhibitions should be 

 considered what they certainly deserve to be, the great festive 

 gatherings of the year. 



I first attended the ploughing match, which took place about 

 one mile from the village, soon after nine o'clock, where I found 

 eleven teams entered and ready for the contest. The ploughing 

 was conducted with great interest and spirit, and was one of the 

 best exhibitions of the kind that I ever attended. It was wit- 

 nessed by a large collection of spectators, among whom was the 

 worthy and efficient president of the society, Hon. 0. C. Felton, 

 to whom I am much indebted for his attention and politeness to 

 me through the day. I returned to the village to attend the 

 drawing match of horses and oxen, which was performed with 

 credit to the parties engaged. Many of the animals brought 

 forward for this occasion were very fine. 



I next proceeded to the examination of the stock in the pens, 

 where I found a few very fine cattle of the short-horn and 

 Devon grade, and some thorough-bred Ayrshires ; but the 

 numbers were too small for a district so noted for luxuriant 

 pastures and fine blood-stock as Worcester County is. 



The exhibition of horses, as a whole, was ordinary, though 

 there were a few valuable horses exhibited. There was a good 

 collection of sheep and swine ; the latter was superior. 



The exhibition in the new and spacious hall belonging to the 

 society, next claimed my attention. There I had expected to 

 see a good display, and was not disappointed, for 1 found nearly 

 every variety of vegetables, of the largest kinds and excellent 

 qualities, on exhibition, which were arranged with great credit. 



