380 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



could be spared from otlier duties ; such hours as others of his 

 age usually spend in idleness, or much less profitable amuse- 

 ment. Thus he labored perseveringly for one year, and I think 

 deserves to have his name conspicuously displayed in letters of 

 goldy for his ingenuity and persevering industry. 



On one side of the hall was tastefully arranged the fancy 

 and needle work, all going to show that the ladies of Milford 

 and that region are much like ladies elsewhere, experts in get- 

 ting up fine pictures in worsted, arranging colors in bed-quilts, 

 making lamp-mats, together with a thousand and one other 

 articles wliich cannot be noticed separately for want of time. 

 Early on the morning of the 15th, in company with Henry 

 Chapin, Esq., our associate here, an hour was spent in looking 

 about the village, and I was both surprised and gratified by the 

 extent and magnitude of the boot manufactories, — the well 

 kept fruit gardens connected with the residences of the enter- 

 prising business men in the place. The morning being fine, 

 the people began to gather in from the surrounding hills and 

 valleys. 



The farmers of Mendon marched in accompanied with music, 

 and a team consisting of forty yokes of oxen. The major part 

 of the cattle were young and thriving. The writer fell in, or 

 was involuntarily drawn into the current, which was followed a 

 mile or more out of the village to the ground laid out for the 

 ploughing-match. Horse and ox teams, some fifteen in num- 

 ber, the latter preponderating, were got in readiness, when all 

 the teams went once round and stopped, to adjust matters 

 preparatory to a regular trial. 



The signal was given, when all started in earnest, and 

 accomplislicd the job in a workmanlike manner. Some, to be 

 sure, ploughed better than others, as is customary ; but there 

 was one feature of this match in which all the teamsters 

 excelled, viz. : there was no extra urging, no " music of the 

 lash," consequently neither bipeds nor quadrupeds perspired, 

 or were fretted in any considerable degree, which was, to me, 

 extremely gratifying. 



All now wended their way back to the west side of the 

 village, to the cattle-pens, and to witness the trial of working 

 oxen. In this trial of strength many cattle participated, some 

 of which were young, light and but imperfectly broken to the 



