REPORTS OF COMMITTEES. 103 



Of vegetables the supply was large, almost every variety in 

 great perfection ; the varieties and excellence of the potato were 

 worthy of great praise and added much to the show ; of butter 

 and cheese there were none worthy of notice. 



The match for ploughing was warmly contested by sixteen 

 teams, more than half of which were horse. The work Avas 

 fairly done \_ but there seemed to be more effort to do quickl}*- 

 than to do it thoroughly. The teamsters urged their teams 

 more loudly and used their whjps more freely than became 

 expert hands in tlieir business. 



The cattle were not very numerous, — a few l)lood cattle and 

 some excellent milcli cows, belonging to Asa G. Sheldon, Esq., 

 equal, if not better, than the best we have seen. Mr. Sheldon 

 has given particular attention to the cow, not as a breeder, Init 

 in choosing from the droves from other States, his eye is one of 

 the best. His judgment has been proved by his success. 



There was a good display of horses and colts, some of which 

 were of much beauty and promise. The high price this kind 

 of stock commands has induced much attention to the raising of 

 colts in the eastern part of our State. We were received as 

 the delegate of the Board, by the President and members of the 

 Society, with much kindness and courtesy. Every attention for 

 our comfort and accommodation was given that could be de- 

 sired. 



The show, on the whole, did not meet our expectations. We 

 anticipated a large display of fine, well-bred animals, and every 

 department filled in a manner becoming the venerated age, 

 wealth and local advantages the Society enjoys. More atten- 

 tion is probably paid to milk, for sale, within the bounds of 

 this Society, than any other in the Commonwealth ; but where 

 there is a good, ready market for the products of the soil, there 

 must be thrift and improvement, and they cannot fail to have 

 the means to fill every department of their annual exhibition 

 more completely than others not so favored. We were inclined 

 to the opinion, that there is a lack of public spirit among the* 

 owners of good animals that accounts for the small number of 

 well-bred animals on the occasion. A good exhibition cannot 

 be got up in a comm\inity that is not disposed to make some 

 sacrifices to the public good, Avhere remuneration by premium 

 is the principal or only motive to contribute. A narrow, money- 



