APPENDIX. xix 



useful and fanc3' articles, fruits, flowers, vegetables, etc. Very few- 

 persons were present. 



At noon, dinner was furnished in the upper hall at about half the 

 price of cattle-show dinners in the eastern part of the State. We 

 queried how so good a meal could be furnislied at so low a price. 



In the afternoon the several trials of horses took place, although 

 the condition of the track and the surroundings were very unfavor- 

 able for such exhibition. We are pleased to learn that, despite the 

 adverse circumstances, the receipts of the fair were nearly sufficient 



to cover the expense. 



Geo. W. Baker. 



HIGHLAND. 



I had the pleasure of attending the annual cattle-show and fair of 

 the Middlefield Society-. It is surprising to a valley man to see all 

 the usual triumphs of the husbandman displayed on the mountains. 

 The show of cattle was good ; and there were some fine specimens 

 of breeding stock. Few herds can show animals equal to Mr. 

 William Blush's Alderney bull. The ploughing-match exhibited great 

 skill and success in this important branch of agriculture. There 

 was a ver}' exciting contest to test the strength of working-oxen. 

 The Horticultural Hall was ampl}' furnished. The specimens of 

 vegetables proved that the gardens are well attended to on these 

 hills. Apples, pears, and other fruits reminded one of the great 

 fruit exhibitions of the eastern counties. Careful observation of 

 the various features of the fair satisfies one that the society accom- 

 plishes much good for this very interesting locality. The visitor 

 need never weary, for when he has looked upon the show till his 

 eye tires, he has but to survey the wonderful panorama of natural 

 scenery around him, and he will be abundantly refreshed. 



E. H. Kellogg. 



HAMPDEN, 



The annual fair of this Societ}' was held at Hampden Park, 

 Springfield, October 5 and 6. The attendance on the first da}', the 

 " cattle-show," was quite small, as it seemed to me, considering the 

 favorable da}', the place, and the fact that the Society make no 

 charge for admission to their grounds on the first da}^ of their 

 exhibition. A regular attendant characterizes the occasion as an 

 " unpretentious, pleasant time." 



