xxxvi REPORTS OF DELEGATES. 



NORFOLK. 



The twenty-fourth annual exhibition of the Norfolk Society, was 

 held at Readville on the twelfth and thirteenth days of September. 

 1872. The weather that made such fair promises on the morning 

 of the first day, soon changed its mind and gave us what 3'ou might 

 call "catching weather." On the second da}^ it was even more so, 

 and the pouring rains destroyed the hopes and expectations of those 

 who had labored hard to make this one of Norfolk's most success- 

 ful exhibitions. 



The show, nevertheless, was very creditable to the society ; the 

 best since its removal from Dedham. The show of stock was large 

 and of ver}' superior quality, a large proportion being thorough- 

 breds. Of horses there was a fine display, prominent among which 

 was the splendid stud of Colonel Russell, the president of the 

 society. 



The show of swine was excellent, and the poultry was splendid. 



Owing to the show being held one or two weeks earlier in the 

 season than usual, the display of vegetables was not as good or ex- 

 tensive as usual. 



The display of fruit was large and of excellent quality. Hon. M. 

 P. Wilder's extensive collection of pears was there as usual, but not 

 for premium. F. and L. Clapp, H. P. Kidder, C. B. Leavitt, W. B. 

 Kingsbury, T. Lyman, C. F. Curtis, J. W. Brooks, Benj. Mann and 

 G. S. Curtis had fine collections. Apples, peaches and plums 

 graced the tables and were creditable to the contributors. 



Flowers were in great profusion, and the display was most beau- 

 tiful. 



In the department of ladies' work the display was the best made 

 for many years. The straw-goods exhibited by Carpenter, Cook & 

 Co., of Foxborough, attracted great attention. 



Bread and butter was unusually good, — the butter being of 

 marked excellence. A. W. Cheever, of Sheldonville, James R. 

 Fisher, of Norwood, James M. Codman, of Brookline, Henry M. 

 Mack, of Dorchester, and Mrs. Longfellow, of Needham, took the 

 prizes. 



Stoughton took the prizes for cheese. 



The departments of domestic manufactures and agricultural im- 

 plements were not crowded with machines or implements. 



The ploughing-match took place Thursday at ten, A. M., and 

 drawing-match at eleven, A. M., and the exercises at the track com- 

 menced at two o'clock, P. M. 



