APPENDIX. ix 



FRANKLIN. 



The twentj-tliird annual cattle-show and fair of the Franklin 

 County Agricultural Society, was held at Greenfield, September 26th 

 and 27th. 



Events beyond my control prevented m}' reaching there by the 

 earl}^ train the first day, as I expected to have done, which was a 

 great disappointment. On m}' arrival in the afternoon, I found the 

 streets flooded with water, and the rain pouring in torrents, and that 

 a large portion of the stock had already left the grounds. I had 

 anticipated much pleasure and profit from m}' visit as delegate to 

 this societ}' ; having had some general acquaintance with the stock 

 and st3-le of farming in this county, I wished to become more thor- 

 oughly acquainted with the details. 



I consider it the duty of a delegate to be at his post from the 

 commencement until the close, and if in his opinion there is any- 

 thing new or of practical importance, to be able from personal ob- 

 servation to report it. 



There was rain, mud, disappointment, sour faces and discourage- 

 ment upon the grounds ; but when your delegate entered Washing- 

 ton Hall, he at once met a different aspect. Here was beaut}^ upon 

 every hand, and successful smiles made radiant everj' face. Yes, 

 here was success that the rain could not mar, triumph that paid for 

 much discomfort to witness ; here, in the face of discouragement, 

 and in spite of the elements, was one of the best exhibitions the 

 societ}' has ever made, — a xevy Eden of loveliness. 



W. L. Warner, Esq., superintendent of the hall, evidentl}' under- 

 stands his business ; has an e^-e for the blending of colors and the 

 artistic arrangement of articles so as to display them to the best 

 advantage. 



The show of vegetables was fair, though reported not as good as 

 on some former j^ears. J. F. Coburn exhibited one hundred vari- 

 eties of beans, one of which in size was infinitesimal. 



Of fruit there was a great abundance. J. M. vSmith, of Sunder- 

 land, had 135 plates of miscellaneous fruit, and W. L. Warner had 

 125. Several other gentlemen had large and well-selected assort- 

 ments ; three of them, fifty or more varieties of apples each. 



A ver}- large number of peaches was exhibited, and they were said 

 by some to be " the best thing of the whole show." 



Pears and grapes were each abundant, some entries having more 

 than twenty varieties. 



There were several attractive baskets of mixed fruit, and the 

 nicest taste displa3'ed in their arrangement. These were furnished 

 2* 



