70 THE MASSACHUSETTS SOCIETY 



grant from the State ; and it is remarked, as showing that 

 the grant is not one for local benefit, that u three-fourths- 

 of the society's premiums*are dispersed in countries not 

 contiguous to the capital." In 1829, among the animals 

 exhibited, were three jacks or male donkeys. 



In 1830 the effect of the counter-attractions, which 

 the county societies were able to offer, became manifest 

 in some degree ; for the show of animals was smaller 

 than during many preceding years. It was excellent 

 in quality, however, and the official report remarks that 

 in the pens " there was scarcely one^ animal of pure 

 native breed of cattle, sheep or swine." The attendance 

 of spectators was about as usual that is very large ; and, 

 as previously, the festival amounted to a general holiday 

 for Brighton village. It was notable also as being the day 

 of first occupancy, by any large company or society, of 

 the famous Cattle Fair Hotel. An account of the festival 

 says : " The society dined in the lower hall of that spa- 

 cious and elegant building, the Cattle Fair Hotel. 

 Although the hall was unfinished it was very beautifully 

 decorated with flags and banners, surrounded by the 

 graceful pine and larch, and the posts entwined with 

 evergreens." Some hint that modern times, in the way 

 of agricultural tools, were approaching, will appear to 

 many readers, in the statement, that among the articles 

 shown in Agricultural Hall, were ploughs of iron, from 

 David Prouty, of Hanover, and from Nourse & Co., of 

 Sherburne. There was no diminution of interest in the 

 ploughing match, either as respects the competitors or the 

 spectators. For the match with two yoke of oxen y 

 eleven competitors entered, a larger number than on any 

 previous occasion. In fact more desired to enter, there 

 being thirteen teams present. Only eleven lots had been 

 measured off and two teams had to be set aside. In re- 

 gard to both the single and double-team matches, the 

 committee of awards report that they gave express instruc- 

 tions to the ploughmen, that the teams should not be 



