xxiv REPORTS OF DELEGATES. 



Inside the hall the exhibition of fruit, flowers, and vegetables, 

 was fair, some specimens of apples being remarkabl}' good. There 

 were huge squashes which the spectator readily believed must 

 earl}' have attained to such vigorous growth as to defj^ any harness 

 the ingenuity of President Clark might apply. 



Articles of needle-work, knitting-work, wax-work, products of 

 the dairy, jellies, preserves, etc., were abundant, and showed 

 plainly that the women of Blandford " ate not the bread of 

 idleness." 



This society is gradually reducing its small debt, and, at the 

 same time, improving its grounds and buildings, and it deserves 

 and appreciates the encouragement which the State affords. 



Stephen Shepley. 



FRANKLIN. 



The twent3'-sixth annual fair of the Franklin County Agricult- 

 ural Society was held at Greenfield, September 30 and October 1» 

 1875. It was one of the best fairs your delegate ever attended. 



Thursday morning the weather was very unfavorable. A cold 

 north-east storm set in, and promised to hold good for a week. 



But about 9 o'clock, the clouds which overcast the skj' cleared a 

 little, and there were indications of a pleasant day. But by this 

 time the people had formed their plans, and had decided to postpone 

 their visit to the fair until the next da}' ; consequently, the number 

 in attendance was smaller than it otherwise would have been. 



There was, however, no backing out among the exhibitors of 

 stock. 



The cattle, sheep and swine, that were brought to the grounds in 

 spite of the weather, were a sight to behold. 



Old men, young men, and bo^'S, all seemed interested to get their 

 stock ready for exhibition. 



There were twelve herds of stock entered, comprising some of the 

 best neat-stock in the State. 



The herd of Shorthorns exhibited by John S. Anderson, of 

 Shelburne, was worth}' of particular notice. There were twenty- 

 six head entered by him, including one pair of four-year-old oxen, 

 that weighed 4,700 pounds, the heaviest yoke of cattle on the 

 ground. Another yoke of 4,200 pounds, another of 3,700 pounds, 

 and still another 3,670 pounds. 



Two pairs of two-year-old steers, 3,200 and 3,300 pounds, 

 respectively: two two-year-old heifers, weighing 1,250 and 1,350 



