198 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



into town from all parts of the county. The trial of skill in 

 horsemanship and riding by fourteen ladies, was one great 

 feature of the day, and was first on the programme. It was a 

 complete success. The fair competitors were put to a thorough 

 trial, and obliged to drive their horses at all gaits and no gait 

 at all, and at all speed from a slow amble to 2-40. They 

 showed themselves equal to all requirements, and if female 

 equestrianism is necessary for locomotion, for obtaining or 

 preserving health, or qualifying the girls to become better help- 

 mates to the sons of the county, the society has done much 

 to further a laudable object. The trial of travelling, or fast 

 horses, was entered into with spirit, and conducted in good 

 order and feeling ; but as your committee did not time them, 

 and is no judge of the fancy points in such matters, he cannot 

 speak of the merits or demerits of the trial. It seemed to 

 please, excite and gratify the crowd. As the last an^ crowning 

 feature of the out-door exercises, the animals of all Descriptions 

 were brought in front of the judges' stand, the premiums 

 announced by the president, and different colored ribbons to 

 denote the grade of premium tied to the animal receiving it. 

 They then all filed off in procession around the track, giving 

 the multitude an opportunity to see those to which the premi- 

 ums were awarded and to compare them with those thought 

 less deserving. This feature we thought a good one and would 

 like to see it introduced at all our shows. The exercises were 

 closed by a grand farmers' festival in the hall, where four or 

 five hundred partook of an excellent dinner, and were enter- 

 tained by the worthy president, and gentlemen from various 

 sections of the State, on subjects connected with practical 

 agriculture. This society seems to be favored with a corps of 

 officers, to whose energy, activity and practical go-a-headitive- 

 ness, its success is largely due. Long may it prosper. 



Levi Stockbridge. 



