APPENDIX. xv 



The working cattle were numerous, of good quality, and well 

 adapted to farm labor. Some beautiful and well-trained steers and 

 steer-calves were exhibited by Bates Brothers, of Mendon. Their 

 intelligent animals were taught to perform a variety of tricks, and 

 the readiness with which they obeyed the voice and harmless switch, 

 was truly interesting. 



The collection in the hall was excellent, especially in the depart- 

 ment of fruit and vegetables. There was a fair show of agricul- 

 tural implements, mechanical productions, specimens of needlework, 

 and fancy articles, such as are usually seen on such occasions, and 

 which contribute to make a hall exhibition pleasing and attractive. 



At one o'clock a dinner was served in the upper hall to a large 

 number of the members, their families and guests, after which M. F. 

 Dickinson, Esq., of Boston, was introduced, who gave a very able 

 address upon the subject of Agriculture in New England, its prog- 

 ress and its promise, which was listened to with marked interest 

 and attention. 



In the closing exercises of the day came the " trot," of which I 

 am unable to speak, as I was not present. 



The fair was admirably conducted by the officers and members of 

 the society, who seem to be earnestly laboring to accomplish a good 

 work, and to whom my thanks (as a delegate from this Board) are 

 due, for kind attention, especially to the president, Mr. Wm. 

 Knowlton, whose bountiful hospitality I shared. 



A. J. BrjCKLIN. 



HAMPSHIRE, FRANKLIN AND HAMPDEN. 



On Thursday, the 5th of October, the Hampshire, Franklin and 

 Hampden Agricultural Society opened its fifty-third annual exhibi- 

 tion, at Northampton, with a fine day. 



As the herds of cattle came in it soon became apparent that we 

 were to be treated with a fine display of thoroughbred stock. The 

 Jerseys, Shorthorns, Ayrshires, — indeed, through the large herd of 

 thirty-six head from the Agricultural College, — all the principal 

 breeds were represented. 



The two counties of Franklin and Hampshire were the chief 

 exhibitors. 



Franklin County, through T. M. Stoughton, of Gill, H. H. 

 Haskell and D. 0. Fisk, of Shelburne, gave a good show of both 

 Jerseys and Ayrshires. G. P. and W. W. Carpenter contributed 

 a herd of twenty-eight head of Shorthorns and grades. 



