192 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



mares and fillies, the show was most excellent, giving evidence 

 that more attention has been paid of late years, not only to the 

 keeping, but the raising of horses iri Norfolk than ever before. 

 It appears by the statistics of the industry of Massachusetts, 

 under the census of 1845, that there were 5,886 horses valued 

 at $359,406 in Norfolk ; and from the census of 1855, we find 

 7,390, valued at $769,416, showing an increase of 1,404 in ten 

 years, or more than 30 per cent, in number, whilst the increase 

 in value is $410,016, or more than 110 per cent. This result is 

 in great part due to the efforts of the zealous president of the 

 Norfolk Society and his associates. 



In the fruit department the failure this year was great, as 

 compared with the well-earned reputation of this society. This 

 was not entirely attributable to the general effects of the sea- 

 son, inasmuch as there was a better display at some exhibitions 

 in the State, but was accounted for by reason of local frosts in 

 the month of May, which were not so severely felt in Plymouth, 

 Essex, and some other counties of the State. 



Mr. Eben Wight, of Dedham, exhibited between sixty and 

 seventy goslings raised from the eggs of a single goose during 

 the past season. This we learned was accomplished by remov- 

 ing the eggs, and hatching them under hens. 



In some of the departments which are best filled in the more 

 purely farming districts, there was not so much interest dis- 

 played as I should like to have seen. Only five yoke of work- 

 ing oxen were entered, and three single teams, three double 

 teams, and two horse teams for the ploughing match. If the 

 deficiency in these departments is any indication of a want of 

 general interest on the part of the farmers throughout the 

 county, it is much to be regretted. 



I was gratified at seeing so much encouragement offered, and 

 such perfect accommodations for the display of flowers, which 

 some of our societies would do well to imitate. Nothing will 

 be lost to agriculture by the encouragement to the fullest 

 extent, of a taste for flowers, and we can devote our efforts to 

 no higher i^than the love of beauty in every form. Make our 

 farm-homes attractive homes, and we shall have less of the 

 abandonment of farming, and the annual stampede of the 

 young bone and gristle of our State from their country homes. 



