APPENDIX. xix 



delightful. The crowd of vehicles was very great, and the number 

 of people, estimated at ten thousand, confirms the declaration that 

 old America, as well as young, are eager to witness a good horse- 

 trot. There were 130 entries of horses. The gi'and cavalcade 

 around the track at ten o'clock was headed by the Haydenville Band, 

 of musical fame. The show of horses in its various departments 

 was highly creditable. At one o'clock about three hundred sat down 

 to an excellent dinner, after which the horse display ended the pro- 

 gramme, to the tune of five hundred dollars more receipts than in 

 any previous year since the society's organization. Good order 

 prevailed, and the society and its officers were congratulated on 

 their success. 



Your reporter will close by acknowledging to the officers his 

 appreciation of the kind hospitality and marked courtesy received 



at their hands. 



Thos. L. Allis. 



HIGHLAND. 



The morning of September 12th found me on mj' way to attend the 

 seventeenth annual exhibition of the Highland Agricultural Society, 

 at Middlefield ; " a city set on a hill, and one of the pleasantest and 

 most healthy places I ever was in," said a railroad official to me, 

 and after riding several miles in a well-packed omnibus, I beheld 

 and confirmed his declaration. 



The true spirit of an enthusiastic agricultural community seemed 

 to be present in all the departments attendant on this occasion. 

 The day was fine, and so was the stock. The Devons, Jerse3's and 

 Ayrshires came into line with the Durhams for their full share of 

 the honors. The thoroughbred Shorthorn, Duke of Clarence, four 

 years' old, weight 2,600 pounds (exhibited by C. B. Wright, of 

 Middlefield, who received fourteen premiums on the various classes 

 of his herd), would be hard to beat. So think the famous stock- 

 raisers, Andersons, of Shelburne, as they have since purchased him, 

 and declare him to be equal if not superior to any stock they have 

 ever owned. 



Middlefield and vicinity's reputation for good stock was fullj^ sus- 

 tained at this show ; several yearlings, progeny of the Duke, were 

 fine animals. A creditable show of oxen, several j'okes of three- 

 year old steers, would rank with the best of New England ; some fine 

 cows and heifers, the whole numl)ering one hundred and fiftj- head 

 of neat stock. The exhibition of sheep was in fair proportion, that 

 of swine and poultry rather diminutive ; and there were but few 

 agricultural implements. 



