APPENDIX. xlix 



fourths of an inch in diameter ; one of blackberries, and one of 

 strawberries, — all forming a tempting display. I could not well pass 

 by the 91 jars of canned fruits, without commenting on their splen- 

 did appearance ; as also the 30 specimens of bread and cake, in 

 tasting which, I noticed the committees had recourse to the 18 

 boxes of fine golden butter, and the five rich, creamy cheeses. 



The table of flowers was one of elegance and taste, and added 

 much to the adornment of the hall. 



The table of fancy and useful articles was crowded to overflow- 

 ing, but space will not permit me to speak of these in detail, men- 

 tion only being made of the model barque Annie W. Weston, a 

 model of perfection and workmanship. 



The antique and curious were well represented in the rare coins, 

 case of shells, etc., and the field-glass taken from off Jeff Davis's 

 desk, at his surrender, speaking loud of the late rebellion. 



One entire end of the hall was devoted to sewing machines of 

 various kinds, and to melodeons and organs, around which at all 

 times the crowd seemed to gather. 



The basement, or lower hall, I found, without exception, filled 

 with the finest display of farm and garden products it has been my 

 privilege to look upon for a long time, if ever before. Many of 

 the specimens here seen were labelled, Webster place. 



Of potatoes, all the different varieties one could conceive of 

 could here be seen, smooth and fair to the highest degree. All 

 classes of vegetables and grains were well represented. I will enu- 

 merate only a few. The heaviest squash weighed 101 pounds, 

 while 16 averaged over 60 pounds each. A crook-neck measured 

 two feet and eleven inches long, and weighed 43 pounds. One beet 

 measured over three feet in length, and weighed 21 pounds. Also, 

 cabbages of 23 pounds, sound and firm. These, viewed in connec- 

 tion with the large quantity of vegetables, all of large growth, but 

 not here enumerated, conveyed to the mind of the beholder that 

 either the soil of Marshfield was of a peculiar quality, or that the 

 farmers and producers carried " terrae " culture to a high degree of 

 perfection. 



There was also seen a fine display of agricultural implement?, 

 stoves, harnesses, wagons and sleighs, marble work, etc., and much 

 more that might be mentioned did space permit ; but as the hour for 

 the chief attraction of the day, 1 P. M., drew near, we were called 

 to fall into the procession, led by the Hanover band, which furnished 

 excellent music for the exhibition, and marched to the third stoiy 

 of the society's hall, to partake of the excellent dinner, to which 

 some five hundred did ample justice ; after which the intellectual 

 7* 



