xxvi REPOETS OF DELEGATES. 



will find, sooner or later, that he is depriving himself and family of 

 the many luxuries that their labor, well directed, would insure. 



The society's dinner took place on Thursday, in the hall, and was 

 all that could be desired upon such an occasion, every seat being 

 taken. After which the company were entertained by an eloquent 

 address by their worthy president, and speeches by the Hon. Mar- 

 shall P. Wilder and the Hon. Albert Fearing, with a poem by Rev. 

 E. Porter Dyer. 



Again on Friday, after dinner, the society resolved itself into a 

 farmers' meeting, to listen to an elaborate and instructive address 

 by the Hon. Charles L. Flint upon successful farming in its several 

 different phases adapted to Massachusetts. 



The Marshfield society is using the means to promote successful 

 agriculture, and its influence is beneficial to all departments within 

 its scope. 



The enterprise of building a dike, by which means the tide is pre- 

 vented from flowing in upon a large area of land, one thousand four 

 htindred acres, thereby rendering the land suitable for the growth of 

 good grasses as well as a largely increased quantity, was started by 

 the influence of the society. Successful farming, it must be under- 

 stood, is not that which secures a large moneyed result immediately, 

 but that course which insures to the land a constantly accumulating 



fertility. 



O. B. Hadvsten. 



MARTHA'S VINEYARD. 



The fifteenth annual exhibition of this society, was held on their 

 grounds, in AVest Tisbury, October 2d and 3d, having been post- 

 poned one day on account of the session of the superior court at 

 Edgartown, on the day appointed for the opening of the fair. 



The very full report, made by your delegate last year, on the 

 condition of this agricultural society, and the fact that owing to 

 other engagements he was able to be present only on the last day 

 of this exhibition, render it unnecessary to attempt a detailed 

 description of what was seen by him. 



No important changes have occurred since the last fair, except in 

 the board of officers and such modifications in the general manage- 

 ment as are usually connected therewith. 



The ploughing-match was exceedingly well managed and well 

 attended, though the ploughing was not remarkably good. The 

 implements were old and poorly adapted to their work, the teams 

 all required drivers and the soil was stony with a thin, weak turf. 



