xxviii KEPORTS OF DELEGATES. 



MIDDLESEX. 



The annual exhibition of this society was held at Concord, Sep- 

 tember 24th and 25th. This old society is still more vigorous and 

 useful than man}' of its 3-ounger sisters. We went to Concord with 

 high expectations, and we were not disapi^ointed. During the past 

 twent}^ years we have occasionally attended the exhibitions, and 

 have always been pleased and well satisfied that this society was 

 doing good service in the cause. The historic old town itself has 

 man}' attractions, aside from the good show that is 3'early offered 

 to the people of Middlesex. This society is ver}' fortunate in hav- 

 ing within its limits some of the best market gardeners and fruit- 

 growers in the State ; those too who are willing to spend time and 

 monej^ to help make a good exhibition. It is particularly fortunate 

 also in having officers enthusiastically devoted to its interests, who not 

 only contribute of their time and energies, but who are always 

 read}' with an open purse. They practise as they preach. The 

 arrangements for an exhibition are very good, the grounds exten- 

 sive and the buildings admirably adapted to the purposes for which 

 the}^ were designed. Good order was everywhere observed, even 

 though there were large crowds at times and places. 



Entering upon the grounds on the morning of the twenty-fifth, a 

 day favorable for such a gathering, our attention was first turned to 

 the cattle-pens. 



There were a good many native and grade cows, heifers and bulls, 

 and many of them fine-looking animals, such as would have delighted 

 the heart of the farmer years ago before we had obtained the more 

 reliable pure-blood stock. "We doubt not there were grade animals 

 there that were even better, in some respects, than some pure stock 

 that might have been selected, but we should not wish to rel}' upon 

 them for breeding purposes. The show of A3'rshires was quite exten- 

 sive and man}' fine animals were to be seen. We saw none on the 

 field that we deemed more valuable to the farmer who is looking for 

 quantity of milk of good quality, combined with size and beauty, 

 that pleased us so much as the Ayrshires, and we think it will be 

 difficult to find a breed better adapted to this part of the country 

 for all purposes than this.' We pass along to the sleek and pretty 

 Jerseys, of which our friend Moore had some fine specimens. We 

 admire these animals, and they have their place, not in the barn of 

 the farmer or milkman, who are looking more perhaps for quantity 

 than for quality, but in the stables of those who keep but one or two 

 cows to raise milk, and especially cream for their own tables. For 

 fancy animals we think they stand at the head of the list. We 



