xviii REPORTS OF DELEGATES. 



quality. The Jersey and Ayrshire breeds, from Chicopee and Gill, 

 made an admirable exhibit of their kind. D. O. Fisk, of Shelburne, 

 received the first premium on single cows. The superintendent of 

 the state agricultural farm exhibited seven distinct breeds, among 

 which were some very fine animals. Deerfield appeared with her 

 banner string of oxen, 17 pairs, averaging 4,150 pounds per pair; 

 the heaviest pair belonging to I. H. Stebbins, weight 5,960. There 

 •%ere a goodl}^ number of oxen from Northampton and Hadley that 

 would compare well with their aforesaid neighbors. There 

 was a large and fine exhibition of bulls, among which were the Hat- 

 field Roan Duke and Deerfield Buttercup. There were several 

 entries of swine, and but three fiocks of sheep ; the Southdowns 

 largely preponderating. Nothing of special value in the poultry 

 department was noticed. 



Agricultural implements and mechanic arts were present in full 

 force ; mowing-machines predominating in the field, and sewing- 

 machines in the hall. 



The show in the hall was much better arranged for the exhibition 

 of the various articles, although inferior in many respects to the 

 exhibit of former years. The display of fruit was less in quantity 

 than in some previous 3'ears, notwithstanding the abundance, 

 especiall}' of apples, up and down the valley ; everybodj^ thought 

 that " everj'bodj^ else would bring an abundance, therefore no need 

 of mine " ; hence the deficit ; which should admonish every member 

 of his own present responsibilit}' in this as well as in other depart- 

 ments. Pears, peaches, grapes and quinces appeared in limited 

 quantities, but superb in quality. The display of gi'cenhouse plants 

 was exquisitel}' fine. Flowers but few, and beautiful. The show of 

 vegetables meagre. Bread, four entries ; butter, four. A creditable 

 exhibit of canned fruits. A collection of 250 varieties of potatoes ; 

 20 of corn ; several of apples and of onions. A large variety of 

 grains ; prairie-grasses six feet high. Corn, grown on twentj'-foot 

 stalks, from Iowa and Nebraska, formed an interesting feature of 

 the exhibition. The department of domestic manufactures was fully 

 sustained, while the fancy-work received a large share of praise. 



The gathering in the upper hall, at one o'clock, was to listen to the 

 address of Rev. Dr. Seelye, of Easthampton, who spoke about thirty 

 minutes, with his usual eloquence, demonstrating that the occuj^ation 

 of the farmer was fitted to develop the ideal of manhood ; that 

 physical strength was the first requisite ; that employment in agri- 

 culture tended to expand the intellect, and to give man broad views 

 of nature and of life. 



Some spirited horse-trotting closed the first day's displa}'. The 

 second, or horse day of the fair, was a grand success ; the weather was 



