412 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



Tlie exhibition at the hall in the evening, under the super- 

 vision of the ladies, was, as might be expected, a decided 

 success. The decorations of the hall were in good taste, and 

 the specimens of needlework, both useful and ornamental, 

 creditable to the skill and industry of the exhibitors. 



In addition there was a display of rare flowers and fruits, 

 among the latter, some choice grapes, showing that the island 

 can be made productive to any extent by patient culture. The 

 exercises of the evening were enlivened by music of domestic 

 ■manufacture, which added to the interest of a festival in which 

 the whole community contributed their quota. Your delegate 

 was under great obligations to James Thompson, Esq., the 

 worthy President of the Nantucket Society, for his politeness 

 and attention during my visit. All of which is respectfully 

 submitted. II. Colt. 



MARTHA'S VINEYARD. 



The fifth annual exhibition of the Martha's Vineyard Agri- 

 cultural Society took place October 21st and 22d. 



The society has a fine level piece of land of about two acres 

 for its show grounds, and a commodious hall on the same fi»r 

 the exhibition of articles usually shown in such places. 



The show of neat stock was poor in quality and few in num- 

 bers, consisting of about forty-five head, of all ages and sizes. 

 There was not, in my estimation, a really valuable animal of 

 this class on the ground though I may have been too fastidious 

 in the matter. However, I will venture the assertion that we 

 have many single farmers in the State whose yards would make 

 a far better show than did Dukes County on the 21st of October* 



1 will in justice say, however, that I was told by some of the 

 officers of the society that they had better cattle on the island 

 than wore shown. The reason given for not bringing them out 

 was the feelings of the community on account of the troubles 

 in our country, and the great interest manifested in putting 

 down the rebellion, and this undoul)te(lly hud that ellbct as 1 

 know it did in other places. 



But I must say that I think it is very important in the ])rcsent 

 state of our country that we do not let our agricultural zeal 

 flag; and also that memlters of a sociclv should alwav.s sacrifice 



