xliv KEPORTS OF DELEGATES. 



ander Macj', Jr., Esq. The hospitalitj', so universal, rendered my 

 visit one of unusual pleasure. 



It is enough to say that the affairs of this Society are in the hands 

 of faithful, competent officers, and cannot fail to lead to success. 



S. B. Phinney. 



MARTHA'S VINEYARD. 



The eighteenth annual cattle-show and fair of the Martha's 

 Vineyard Agricultural Societ}' began October 5. The grounds and 

 buildings are small, yet they ma^' be large enough for the purpose 

 for which the}' are designed. The hall was too full to look well, 

 particularly the vegetable department, which would have displaj^ed 

 to much better advantage had it occupied more space. 



The officers were alive, and deeply interested in its success, yet 

 like all fairs, not all the best fruit or vegetables appeared on 

 exhibition. 



There are in almost ever}' society' some little jealousies which 

 are not alwa3's particularly pleasant while soliciting articles for 

 exhibition. No one knows but the officers themselves, how far a 

 kind word and willing heart go towards making the fair pleasant 

 as well as successful. Too much blame is often bestowed upon its 

 officers in the case of failure. All does not depend on its officers ; 

 officers and people are to work together. 



The largest contributors generally find the least fault, and the 

 persons furnishing little or nothing are the ones that generall}^ do 

 the fault-finding, and are never satisfied with its officers, or an}'- 

 thing. The people of the island are hospitable and generous, but 

 appear to enjoy and attend to the fishing and shipping interest more 

 than agriculture, but while at home in vacation spend a little time 

 in tilling the soil. The soil appears light and sandy, yet yields a 

 good and bountiful crop when thoroughly cultivated. Corn can be 

 grown with good success at the rate of 80 bushels to the acre, and 

 as good vegetables can be grown there as can be produced in the 

 State. It is plain to be seen that if the people would give attention, 

 and prepare the soil as well as they do in other parts of the State, 

 farming would pay. 



The neat-stock of the island is far behind other counties of the 

 State. What there is, appears to be a poor grade of Ayrshire. 

 There was not a bull upon exhibition, and I was told there was not 

 a blooded animal upon the island ; the}' will be obliged to improve the 

 stock, or else will have no cattle to exhibit. There were 23 entries 

 of cattle, — 125 head ; among them there was quite a fair lot of 



