APPENDIX. xxix 



an agricultural exhibition. The grounds were well filled with herds 

 of all the approved breeds, and among them were man}' superior 

 animals. There were a large number of fine working-oxen. Cole- 

 raine sent a town team of fifteen yoke, weishing in the acrorreo-ate 

 47,030 pounds. One yoke from Ilawle}* weighed 4,190 pounds, and 

 there were many others tliat crowded hard on to 4,000 pounds. The 

 great feature of the exhibition was the sheep department. There 

 were thirty -one entries in the various classes, numbering about four 

 hundred. They were principally of the fine and middle w ol varie- 

 ties, and were a rare exhibition for Massachusetts. 



Swine were not very numerous, the Chester Whites predomi- 

 nating. 



Poultry — Brahmas, Cochins, Leghorns, Houdans, and the beauti- 

 ful gold and silver Hamburgs — laid claim to notice. 



The show of fruit was respectable for the season. In passing 

 along the river road from Shelburne Falls to Charlemont, \ could 

 but notice that in many places where the trees are protected from 

 the cold-bearing north-west winds, they hung full of red-cheeked 

 beauties, and I could but wonder at their not giving more attention 

 to the raising of fruit. The virgin soil, washing down from the 

 hills, gives the nutriment ihey most require. 



Farm crops were most excellent, the bread, butter and cheese 

 attesting to the fact. 



Canned fruits in great variety' were shown. 



Of flowers, there was a very pretty collection, and the needle and 

 pencil showed skill and industry-. 



After the dinner a novel sight presented itself. Several hundreds 

 of people seated themselves on the grass, opposite to the speaker's 

 stand, and listened attentively to the address given by Richard 

 Lathers, Esq., of Pittsfield. It was an able efljort, containing much 

 valuable information for the farmers and hearers general!}'. 



In the evening one of the vice-presidents gave a reception to the 

 orator and members, and two hours were happily spent in speaking 

 and social converse. 



The second day seemed to vie with the first in its endeavors to 

 make every one happ}'. The crowd was there to witness the exhibi- 

 tion of horses, and the}- were not disappointed. The grounds were 

 filled with people, and stallions, and breeding-mares, and their 

 progen}', of all ages and sizes, showing that the farmers are giving 

 their attention to the more careful breedins; of the horse. There 

 were a large number of carriage-horses, single and in pairs, and 

 none more worthy of notice than the noble blacks, belonging to our 

 worthy associate on this Board. » 



That this Society is doing a good work, that it is meeting the 



