REPORTS OF COMl\riTTEES. 123 



There were some good specimens of working oxen present, 

 but nothing like what should have been exhibited. We greatly 

 err if many teams in the county cannot be found which would 

 present a better show. 



The fat cattle, sixteen in number, were decidedly good. 



Of horses, there were some very good animals on the ground, 

 which did credit to the show. May not this branch of industry, 

 also, be encouraged with profit in nearly all the counties in 

 the State. 



Of the operations in the ploughing field I can speak favorably 

 without qualification. About forty teams were on the ground, 

 of every variety. It is impossible to look upon such a per- 

 formance without deriving instruction. The well-earned repu- 

 tation of the county was fully sustained in this department. 



Deep ploughing and thorough pulverization seem to be 

 favorite ideas in Essex. These, they say, are the substratum 

 of their superior crops. The hall in which were exhibited all 

 articles of manufacture, products of the field and the garden, 

 presented a fine, as well as creditable display. 



The exhibition of swine and poultry was very satisfactory, 

 and in most instances was well calculated to do credit to the 

 individual contributors as well as to the society. 



At the dinner table, as well as at the church, where the 

 Address was delivered, we can say that nothing was lacking 

 either in the way of food for body or mind. About five hundred 

 sat down to a well-spread table, and I was happy to notice the 

 harmony and good feeling which prevailed. Many distinguished 

 friends of agriculture from abroad were present, and by invita- 

 tion from Col. Newell, the president of the society, many 

 short, though excellent as well as profitable, remarks and 

 suggestions were made, mostly in discussing the merits of 

 building up a race of pure blood cattle for the growing wants 

 of our State. This was as it should be, and we came away 

 from old Essex feeling that we had spent a day profitably in 

 her courts. 



Harvey Dodge. 



