APPENDIX. XV 



I found the Society possessed of ample grounds, with a commo- 

 dious building, the basement or first stor}' of which is well fitted up 

 with cooking-range, tables, chairs and other conveniences, for 

 providing dinners for all, during each day of the exhibition. In 

 the next story is the exhibition-hall, which was well filled with 

 various articles, and above this a hall where all repaired after the 

 dinner of the first da}', and listened to short addresses from different 

 members of the Societ}', and other gentlemen present, prominent 

 among whom was our friend, Henry S. Goodale, Esq., who delivered 

 a poem. 



The exercises in the hall having been concluded, we took a more 

 extended view of what was to be seen of the fair. There were 

 sixteen teams of oxen and horses entered for the ploughing-match, 

 which was the first thing on the programme, and which attracted a 

 large crowd of interested persons. The ploughing was good ; the 

 horses and cattle were looking well. There was a good number of 

 working oxen and steers, and some fine fat cattle. The Jersey, 

 Ayrshire, Devon and Shorthorn were on exhibition in fair numbers, 

 and some ver\' good specimens of each breed. 



Some verv good sheep were exhibited. The show of poultry was 

 small. Owing to the lateness of the season, and the earh- period of 

 holding the fair, the display of garden vegetables, cereals, and the 

 products of the farm, was not what it would have been some weeks 

 later, although there was a fair showing of vegetables, including 

 potatoes, turnips, squashes and melons, and some fine samples of 

 grain. 



There was a good show of bread, butter and cheese. The display 

 of fruit was all that could be expected, it not being a "fruit 3'ear-" 

 The show of flowers and plants was ver}' creditable. 



In the department of needle and ornamental work was seen the 

 usual display of skill and taste. One important feature of the fair 

 on the first day was the exhibition of trained steers, which I think 

 can be described in no more fitting language than that employed by 

 one who, possessing in himself those qualities of mind and heart 

 which distinguish " nature's nobleman," is ever quick to recognize 

 and acknowledge these attributes whether shown in man or beast. 

 I quote the words of the delegate to this Society in 1873, who 

 says: "To one who never witnessed this beautiful sight, no true 

 conception could be formed. It is simpl}' an exhibition of the won- 

 derful power of the human mind in sympathy with animal instinct, 

 or in other words, the wonderful power of kindness. There can be 

 no doubt that man has the power to impress his own character on 

 that of his domestic animals ; that he can inspire them with love and 

 confidence, or with hatred and revenge, and it reacts on himself as 



