APPENDIX. vii 



type in mind, and were cultivating in reference to this tj'pe. There- 

 fore, though I ma}' have seen at our local fairs larger collections of 

 the produce of garden and field, I have not seen a better one than 

 ^vas on exhibition by this Society. I was also exceedingly inter- 

 ested in a basket of corn which the Sturtevant Brothers presented 

 as a specimen of a crop of seven acres raised by them according to 

 the formula of Prof. Stockbridge of the Agricultural College. 



As I understand, this experiment, with several others, is to be 

 carefully elaborated and published in the Transactions of this Societ}', 

 I will add nothing more, save the statement, that a Society which 

 becomes the medium of publishing the results of experiments so 

 careful)}-, accurately and scientifically conducted from first to last, 

 as I am sure these have been, becomes thereb}' a public benefactor. 



The ploughing-match took place on the second day, at nine in the 

 morning. Two classes of ploughs were used, the single and the 

 double plough, and fine work was done b}' both, though the prefer- 

 ence seemed to be in favor of the double plough. The motto, "not 

 how much, but how well," seemed to govern the award of premiums. 

 The exhibition of famil}' horses, matched horses, roadsters and 

 colts upon the track, occupied the time till dinner, which was hancl- 

 somel}' served at half-past twelve o'clock, by a caterer from Worces- 

 ter. Over three hundred persons occupied seats at the tables, and 

 made themselves merr}- in disposing of the ample supplj' of edibles 

 which had been provided. 



After all were satisfied. President Johnson called the company to 

 order, and introduced the speaking of the occasion by remarking 

 upon the substantial success of the twenty-second annual exhibi- 

 tion of the Society, and alluding to the causes, mainly the hearty 

 cooperation of members and officers. The speaking was continued 

 by those present, in response to the call of the president, until half- 

 past two, when the closing races of the fair commenced. This was 

 the signal for leaving the tables, and they were as quickl}- abandoned 

 as they had been filled two hours before. The general management 

 of the affairs of this Societ}', as manifested in the show, seems 

 worth}' of special commendation, and the things suggesting criticism 

 are not peculiar to the Middlesex South. The usual side-shows, 

 whip and candy vendors, were in full force ; tolerated only, I sup- 

 pose, because they increase the revenue, which is a matter of no 

 little importance to societies, which, like this, are still in debt. 



Metcalp J. Smith. 



