xxxviii APPENDIX. 



excellence. I am indebted to the efficient secretary of the society, 

 H. Clay BUss, Esq., for the following historical facts : — ■ 



The societ}', with all its prosperity, has met with some reverses. 

 It received its charter in 1860, and purchased its grounds, which 

 contain about fifteen acres, in 18G2, at a cost of twenty-nine hundred 

 dollars. A good half-mile track was built, and suitable buildings 

 erected for use. The society has suffered from freshets at three 

 different times. The Iloosac River, that runs parallel with the 

 grounds the whole length, is a ver}^ rapid stream ; and, when heavy 

 storms and spring thaws come, the water from the mountains 

 empties into the river, causing it to swell very rapidly, many times 

 causing great damage. At the second wash-out they were obliged 

 to change the location of the track and buildings at a cost of about 

 fifteen hundred dollars. 



About six 3'ears ago the grounds were again badly damaged by 

 still another freshet ; and they were compelled to build a dike on 

 the bank of the river, nearly the whole length of the grounds, the 

 expense of which was about twenty- two hundred dollars. 



At the present time there is erected a fine exhibition-building, in 

 the form of a cross, a hundred and forty feet long by thirty feet 

 wide, with ells on sides, thirty feet from front-end, thirty feet square, 

 and all in one room. In the centre of the building there is erected 

 a platform, enclosed with a neat railing, which is used for a speak- 

 ers' stand and officers' headquarters, forming one of the best ex- 

 hibition-rooms of its kind I have ever seen. Adjoining this is a 

 dining-hall twenty by sixty feet. The stable for the accommoda- 

 tion of horses contains fourteen stalls, with a loft for haj', grain, 

 and straw. The total valuation at the present time is $12,500 ; 

 indebtedness, $5,800. The society numbers about five hundred 

 life-members. 



The farming-interest has undergone a decided improvement since 

 this society was organized. The farms are kept up in better con- 

 dition, and made more productive. The stock, if not increased 

 in numbers, is decidedly of an improved quahty. Poultrj', here as 

 well as elsewhere, shows a marked improvement. This society 

 necessarily is conducted upon about the same plan as most other 

 societies at the present time. The old plan, of simpl}^ exhibiting 

 the products of the farm and the handiwork of the farmers, would 

 very soon fail of support, unless other interests were brought in to 

 make the exhibition more attractive. In order to have a good 

 cattle show, it is absolutely necessary that there should be a large 

 gathering of people. To keep up interest, nearl}' all societies are 

 obliged to resort to what are called horse-trots, balloons, base-ball 

 plaj'ing, band tournaments, or something of the kind, to di-aw the 



