HAMPSHIRE, FRANKLIN, HAMPDEN, xxiii 



Being unaccustomed to the sight of Shorthorn stock, the dis- 

 play of that breed was one of great pleasure to your delegate. 

 It seemed to him that no better exhibit could be made, either 

 in herd or singly ; and it could not be otherwise, when such well- 

 known breeders as are in the Connecticut valley lent their aid 

 to " swell the list," and compete with each other for a creditable 

 displa}'. Devons, Ayrshires, and the cream-producing Jerseys, 

 too, were there in large numbers, each breed having its friends 

 and their owner enthusiastic in praise of his favorites. 



An elderly lady who owned a fancy farm, and was also a great 

 lover of flowers, in the temporar}' absence of her gardener, one 

 morning called in the aid of her farmer to assist in the garden. He 

 was ver}- unskilful in the ways of managing a flower-garden, and 

 was so awkward, that the good old lady got out of patience, and 

 testily exclaimed, "William, all you are fit for is to trade cows, 

 and sit on the fence and see pigs grow." The display of swine at 

 the exhibition was so good, that your delegate could hardly find 

 fault with any one for sitting upon the fence to see them grow ; 

 and the noted pork-breeders of the vicinity must have taken a 

 justifiable pride in their exhibit. Every known breed seemed to 

 have its champion; and, if desirous of "getting the best," the 

 purchaser would be at loss to decide. 



There was not a very large display of sheep ; but such as there 

 were seemed to be the best of their kind, and reflected great credit 

 upon their exhibitors. 



A society having its grounds in the vicinity of large State in- 

 stitutions usually has a great advantage in making an attractive 

 displa}' over those not similarly situated. The Hampshu'e Franlilin 

 and Hampden would seem to be particularly favored in this re- 

 spect. For with the hospital in its immediate vicinity, and the 

 agricultural college not very far off, your delegate expected to see 

 the fine cattle of both places on exhibition, especially as, at the 

 exhibit at Amherst the year before, a large and creditable display 

 was made from the college. I understood its stock could have been 

 sent without pecuniary loss ; but, probably for some reason best 

 known to the authorities, no exhibition was made. Some exceed- 

 ingly fine specimens of swine, however, were upon the grounds 

 from the hospital. 



There was a general mixing up of poultry, not a very large 

 exhibit, but very creditable. 



Upon entering the hall there seemed to be specimens of almost 

 every thing usuall}^ found at such times and in such places, and 

 ever}' thing was very tastefullj^ displa^'ed. The contributions of 

 fruit, and its arrangement, were grand and beautiful. One feature 



