X KEPORTS OF DELEGATES. 



by Mrs. Julia D. Peck, Mrs. Henry "Wells, Miss Sarah Anderson, 

 of Shelburne, and H. D. Graves, of Sunderland. 



The highest state of cultivation is necessary to produce the per- 

 fection in the fruit that was on exhibition ; and the farmers in this 

 section without doubt can furnish some important information rela- 

 tive to the soil best adapted to this branch of husbandry, and the 

 comparative profits of fruit-growing. 



Of the floral department the society could well feel proud, as the 

 flowers were verj- choice and the floral designs exquisitely' beautiful. 

 One could but wonder and admire. 



Here also was attested the skill of the artist in the neat, elaborate 

 and tasteful designs for embroider}', wax-work, &c. ; in fine, every- 

 thing bore the impress of perfection. 



I was informed by members of the committee that some of the 

 finest animals in the count}' were on exhibition ; and I know that 

 among the Franklin farmers is found much of the xevy best stock, 

 and many successful stock-raisers. 



I found on the grounds (for exhibition onh') the Shorthorn herd 

 of Mr. Whitman, of Fitchburg, and the Devon herd of Mr. Mattoon, 

 of Springfield, both of which were made up of ver}' superior animals. 



We noticed among the entries the weight of several of the animals 

 as follows : — One pair of four-year olds, 5,008 pounds ; one pah- of 

 three-3'ear olds, 3,890 ; four pairs of two-3'ear olds, 3,040, 2,936, 

 2,900, and 2,414 ; twelve pairs of oxen from Deerfield average 

 weight 4,102 pounds ; four cows, 1,700 pounds each. 



There was a fair show of good horses, which no doubt would have 

 been much greater but for the rain ; and while I admired the pluck 

 of those who appeared and drove around the muddy track, I could 

 but honor the judgment of those who were so considerate for the 

 welfare of their animals as to leave them at home. 



That the Franklin Society has active workers is evident, not only 

 by the amount contributed, but in the zeal with which the officers 

 labored in the face of difficulties to make the best of everything. 

 A societ}' which can carry out a programme in such a drenching 

 rain is a healthy organization, and will succeed. 



J. McElwain. 



HAMPDEN. 



The Hampden Agricultural Society, originally organized by and 

 located in the midst of an active and prosperous agricultural com- 

 munit}', has, by increase of population, by the modern changes in 

 business interests and channels of trade, found its headquarters 

 and centre of activity surrounded by the rapidly increasing com- 



