384 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



There were but nine entries of butter and cheese, sixteen of 

 bread, sixteen of wines and jellies, eighteen of flowers, and 

 one hundred and thirty-seven of domestic manufactures. There 

 were ten entries in " Progressive Husbandry," which term in 

 this case was to be understood as experiments in raising crops. 



About ^three-fourtlis of the neat stock entered was on the 

 grounds. The great feature of the exhibition was the show of 

 oxen for all purposes, the larger number intended immediately 

 for the stall. I have no idea that in any other part of New 

 England could a collection be made of such enormous speci- 

 mens ; fourteen pairs owned in Westfield, Hampden County, 

 were very large and handsome, and uncommonly fat for the 

 season. Westfield took all the premiums offered for fat cattle, 

 and for cattle for the stall ; two or three pairs of grade Here- 

 fords were particularly noticeable for thrift and general 

 symmetry. 



The Messrs. Day, of Northampton, exhibited a pair of mam- 

 moth oxen, estimated to weigh seven thousand pounds ; they 

 were marvels for size and fatness, and were surrounded by an 

 astonished crowd from morning until night. 



Elon Sanderson, of Whately, had a very fine pair of four- 

 years-old steers on the grounds. 



Luke Bush, of Westfield, had a pair three years old, said to 

 weigh four thousand pounds. 



Dr. Prince, of the State Hospital, exhibited a handsomely 

 matched pair of two-years-old steers ; also a splendid pair of 

 thoroughly-drilled working oxen, whicli took the first premium. 



Milo J. Smith & Sons, of Northampton, showed their herd 

 of Short-horns, numbering twenty-two head, fourteen of which 

 were thoroughbred, and included some very superior animals. 



In cows and heifers the show was quite meagre, only five 

 milch cows being exhibited, none of which took a premium, 

 probably from not having conformed to the rules of the society 

 in furnishing a statement of their product. 



Of bulls the best animals exhibited were Short-horns, some of 

 which were of the first order. Ascl L. Clark, of South Hadlc/, 

 and Matthew Smith, of Middlofield, j)rcscntcd the best of this 

 breed in the oj)inion of the committee. 



Of sheep the siiow was a disai)pointnicnt, there being but 

 twelve on tlic grounds, mostly of the middle-wool varieties. 



