xlvi REPORTS OF DELEGATES. 



of the best races I ever saw. The two horses in the three heats 

 were neck and neck, and made time, 3.03, 2.54, 2.54. The remark 

 was made to me, by an old horseman, that these lady drivers could 

 not be equalled in the country. 



The class for horses trotting nearest to 3.30 in three average 

 heats, made much excitement. Fourteen horses contested here for 

 the premium. 



The poultry, consisting of some seventy coops, called a large 

 attendance of admirers at all hours. 



Only two pens of sheep were seen, while swine were presented by 

 eight exhibitors, many of the swine very fat and showing good 

 feed and breeding. 



Finding the day drawing to a close, I accepted the kind invita- 

 tion of one of the officers of the society to make his house my home 

 while in Milford, and awaited the second day, which was bright as 

 the first. 



The ploughing-match was first in order of the day ; I found 

 twenty-one competitors, nineteen of oxen and two of horses. A 

 laroe crowd was in attendance and much interest was manifested, 

 and passed off very successfully and satisfactorily. 



The trial of working-oxen and steers was the centre of attraction 

 while in progress, and showed the power of the ox for work, yet I 

 think the test was too hard, and some whipping allowed, which I 

 think the society should not encourage or countenance. 



The exhibition of trained steers was excellent, and showed 

 the amount of intellect our cattle develop by careful training and 

 teaching. 



The annual dinner, this day, was made one of the attractions, 

 and the large dining-hall of the society was filled ; it was an inter- 

 esting as well as successful afiair. After all had pronounced their 

 eulogy on the rich provisions so bountifully provided, the president 

 of the society, Mr. Knowlton, called all to order, to listen to an 

 original poem by Mr. A. Green of the " Springfield Union," followed 

 by remarks of an hour's length on the science of agriculture prac- 

 tised among the Romans, all closing with an original poem by Hon. 

 Gr. W. Holmes of Uxbridge. The remainder of this day, as well as 

 the third day, was devoted to horse-trotting, and passed off harmo- 

 niously and pleasantly to all, and I pass it by as all very good to 

 report. The hall was filled to overflowing. I think I never saw a 

 display of articles more numerous and tastefully arranged : vege- 

 tables of all kinds in large quantities, mammoth squashes, beets, 

 &c., all telling the beholder what the soil of Worcester South-East, 

 by careful cultm-e, can produce in abundance and size. 



Fruit of all kinds, in endless profusion, held out temptations for 



