394 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



cattle indicating not only an abundant supply of nutritious 

 food, but also judgment in their selection. 



The attention to slieep husbandry seems to be increasing 

 among the members of this society. Much attention has been 

 paid for many years in this county to the winter feeding of 

 sheep for the market, but much care is now displayed with 

 regard to the introduction of valuable breeds. There were on 

 exhibition a few fine-woolled sheep of good quality, some supe- 

 rior grade Cotswolds and Leicesters, and a few Oxford Downs. 

 The contest was chiefly among the coarse-wooUed breeds, and 

 the grade Cotswolds appeared to attract the most attention, and 

 to receive that consideration to which their weight of carcass 

 and fleece entitles them. Still it was the declaration of one of 

 the most intelligent farmers at the exhibition, that he could 

 feed fine-woolled sheep with more profit than any others. 

 When the farmers throughout this Commonwealth have learned 

 that wool is worth more than mutton to the producer, and that 

 quality and shape of carcass are worth more than size, they 

 will have arrived at the rudiments of that system of sheep hus- 

 bandry which has enriched all who have engaged in it, and 

 which is the only branch of that husbandry which is now, or 

 has ever been profitable in Massachusetts. 



The swine on exhibition had a large admixture of Chester 

 County blood, and resembled in shape and size the large York- 

 shire pig of Great Britain. 



The exhibition in the hall was very interesting. A large and 

 handsome collection of fruit, and many specimens of handi- 

 work were extremely well arranged and attractive. The grain 

 crops were well represented. More competition in root crops 

 would have been gratifying. 



The second day was devoted to a large exhibition of horses, 

 and to the inauguration of the new fair grounds, by speeches 

 from Hon. A. H. Bullock and others. The address of Mr. 

 Bullock was an unusually eloquent discourse upon the oppor- 

 tunities and possibilities of the Massachusetts farmer, and it 

 was listened to by a numerous audience with extreme delight. 



Your delegate cannot commend too highly the energy and 

 activity of tliis prosperous and well conducted society. 



Geo. B. Boring. 



