xxxiv REPORTS OF DELEGATES. 



The exercises at the dinner table were exceedingly interesting. 

 Brief addresses were made by Hon. Marshall P. Wilder, who 

 officiated as president, on account of the unavoidable absence of 

 the president of the Society, and Hon. F. A. Sawyer, IT. S. sen- 

 ator from South Carolina. 



The poem delivered by Eugene Batchelder, Esq., of Dover, was 

 well received. 



The address of the orator of the day, who took for his theme 

 " Nothing New," was full of life and thought, and held the close 

 attention of the audience for nearly an hour. 



I can hardly refrain from expressing my deep regret, that while 

 so much interest is apparently taken by the members of this society 

 in the exhibition of their several articles of produce, manufactures 

 and horses, so little interest is manifested in exhibiting their cattle. 

 I learned that one substantial farmer near the grounds, did make 

 an effort to drive in his large herd on the second day, but I did not 

 happen to see it. When I arrived upon the society's grounds on 

 the first day, and saw the empty condition of the cattle pens, I 

 naturally began to inquire why it was, — whether there were no 

 good cattle within the limits of the society. And I ascertained 

 that a large number of splendid cattle were located on the farms 

 and in the barns within sight of where we then stood. " Why, 

 then, are they not here ? " said I. " Well, the farmers think it 

 won't pay," was the reply. Not pay! Can it be possible that any 

 intelligent farmer in Massachusetts can honestly come to the con- 

 clusion, that once a year it will not pay for him to meet his 

 neighbors with his stock of cattle and compare their respective 

 merits, and by so doing become richer? If not richer pecuniarily, 

 richer in wisdom and knowledge, which is far better. 



It does seem that no member of an agricultural society who 

 has the best interests of the cause at heart, will refrain from a 

 cheerful contribution of his stock to their annual exhibition, 

 merely on the assumption that " it does not pay." 



I cannot excuse myself without herein expressing my heartfelt 

 thanks to my friend, Col. Eliphalet Stone, of Dedham, and his 

 wife, for the very kind and generous hospitality they tendered me 

 on that occasion. F. F. Fat. 



HINGHAM 



Your delegate being unable to be present at the exhibition of the 

 Hingham Agricultural and Horticultural Society, has been furnished 



