FOR PROMOTING AGRICULTURE 69 



should be given in Cambridge; but when, in 1815, a 

 decision was arrived at, Brighton was chosen, as being 

 already of fame as a rendezvous for farmers at its 

 cattle market, a fame which dates as far back as 

 1775, when it was made the headquarters, or place of 

 assembling, of cattle and other stores of the commis- 

 sary department of Washington's army, then besieg- 

 ing the town of Boston. The patriotic associations of 

 the place, though doubtless appreciated, had no in- 

 fluence upon the decision of the trustees, but rather, 

 the fact that the premium cattle of the show would 

 find ready sale, if offered, at the contiguous market, 

 and that the hotel accommodations were ample. 



The exhibition of 1816 comprised only neat cattle, 

 sheep and swine, first and second premiums being 

 offered in each classification, the total of premiums 

 being $290. The cattle pens were ranged along the 

 south side of the main road, now called Washington 

 street, opposite to the Cattle Fair hotel site of modern 

 times, and within the enclosure then called Winship's 

 pasture. Nearly one hundred animals were in the 

 collection, of a quality, as a whole, very satisfactory to 

 the trustees, who expressed opinion, in their report, 

 that the show would have been regarded creditable at 

 Smithfield, Lewes or Bath in England. The exhibit of 

 Merino sheep was of especial merit; but the marked 

 triumph of the day was a milch cow, belonging to 

 Caleb Oakes of Danvers, and for which the first pre- 

 mium was awarded. This animal had yielded, in 

 twenty weeks, milk for making 320 pounds of butter, 

 and when milked upon the field, at Birghton, the yield 

 was nine quarts. Opinion was generally expressed 

 that the cow was unrivalled in America or Europe. 



