128 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



ceased to exist, but because tliey outgrew tlic limits assigned 

 them, and required a new organization and more extended 

 limits. Hence, another colony, " The Worcester Mechanics' 

 Association," making, occasionally, a most splendid display of 

 the productions of art and skill, and doing honor to herself and 

 honor to her parentage. 



Having settled these two daughters so happily, and given to 

 each the best of all marriage portions, a good practical educa- 

 tion, for the business of their choice, and habits of industry and 

 energetic action in that business, the old society has concen- 

 trated her resources and redoubled her energies. A beautiful 

 plot of seven acres of land has this year been purchased and 

 enclosed with a heavy board fence, having massive granite posts. 

 The grounds have been graded, very substantially framed pens 

 built, and preparations put in progress for large and commodious 

 halls, for all the wants of the society. Within this enclosure 

 are all the items of the show, except the ploughing and the 

 drawing match, and to it a fee of ten or twelve cents gives 

 admission. A small building, already erected, was occupied by 

 the secretary, and also for the exhibition of butter and cheese, 

 and " Wright's Tent " sheltered the dinner, the annual Address, 

 and all things pertaining to that department. Some incon- 

 veniencies attended the unfinished state of plans projected, but 

 the energy of the executive board was more than sufficient for 

 all these. . 



It is not necessary or desirable that I should enter largely 

 into the statistics of this exhibition. Her own reports will do 

 this far better than I can. For ploughing, the premiums were 

 well contested. This society, in common with many others, 

 finds it somewliat difficult to find good ground within a reason- 

 able distance. The land ploughed was somewhat uneven, not 

 free from stone, nor uniform in the depth of the surface soil. 

 The teams were mostly oxen, a part of them composed of two 

 yoke, almost invariably in good flesh and strength, and well 

 trained. Both tlic ploughing, and subsequent drawing and 

 backing, sliowed tliat thorough training of cattle is here a thing 

 well understood and generally pursued. The ploughs were, 

 for the most part, of the larger class. The double, or Michigan, 

 was conspicuous in the number. We notice, in all oui- societies, 



