VI PREFACE. 



the numerous spectators who are accustomed to attend 

 the annual exhibition. 



"An increased amount of premiums was guaranteed in 

 part by the j)ublic spirit and liberality of members of the 

 Society, in order to increase the attraction and add to the 

 interest and usefulness of the Horse department of this 

 Show. The experiment proved to be highly successful, 

 affording an agreeable and wholesome pastime to a large 

 and intelligent concourse of citizens from this and the 

 neighboring counties, including ladies, who were accom- 

 modated with seats, elevated and commodious, enabling 

 them to overlook the entire enclosure devoted to the 

 display of horses, without danger, and out of the reach of 

 annoyance from the crowd. The income produced by 

 this addition to the attraction of the Show, will undoubt- 

 edly compensate for the additional outlay for the land." 



Substantially the same course has been adopted by the 

 Housatonic, the Berkshire, the Worcester and the Ply- 

 mouth Societies. The report of the Plymouth Society 

 says : " The cost of the lot purchased for the use of the 

 Society was ^2,639.11 ; a little less than one hundred 

 dollars per acre. About one hundred rods of substantial 

 board fence, supported by stone posts, have been erected; 

 the inequalities of the upland have been removed ; the 

 little central grove has been thinned and trimmed with 

 good taste ; and a riding course has been made whose 

 circuit measures half a mile, upon the inner circumference 

 of Avhicli a row of elms has been transplanted by one 

 who is most devoted to the interest of the Society, and 

 who particularly rejoices in view of the majesty and cool- 

 ing summer shade of our noble forest trees." 



