82 THE MASSACHUSETTS SOCIETY 



iron ploughs, and say that although they cost more at 

 first they are cheaper in the end. In 1827 one of the 

 committee on milch cows was "Thomas Williams of 

 Noddle's Island," a localization which sounds queer 

 now, but did not then. In 1828 the official report 

 speaks with congratulation upon the fact that of 12 

 ploughs, in the single-yoke ploughing match, 10 were 

 of cast-iron, and that in the double yoke match six of 

 the nine ploughs were cast-iron. In another official 

 report of this year something of protest appears as to 

 a proposed repeal of the law, by which the society had 

 an annual grant from the State; and it is remarked 

 as showing that the grant is not one for local benefit, 

 that "three-fourths of the society's premiums are dis- 

 persed 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 mani- 

 fest 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 spacious 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 ever- 



