APPENDIX. vii 



One of the most attractive and inviting features of the second 

 day, was the dinner, furnished by the ladies of the society. It was 

 excelfent in quality, abundant in quantit} r , and served at the tables 

 by the ladies themselves. In a word, it was the best dinner, and 

 the most gracefully served, of any agricultural dinner that I have 

 ever attended. 



After dinner, the Hon. Harris Lewis, of New York, delivered an 

 interesting lecture, entitled, "In the Rut or Out, Which?" There 

 were several short addresses hy other guests of the society. There 

 are certain courtesies due from the officers of the societies to the 

 delegates from this Board that are not always observed, owing, doubt- 

 less, to want of experience, or, possibly, to forgetfulness. 



Judging from what information your delegate could gather, the 

 society is in a prosperous condition, and capable of doing a great 

 deal of good for the agricultural interest of the Commonwealth. 



J. Ladd. 



MIDDLESEX NORTH. 



Having been appointed a delegate to visit the Middlesex North 

 Agricultural Society, and to report its condition and the character 

 of the fairs, etc., I shall endeavor to discharge my dut} 7 faithfully, in 

 accordance with the best information I can get, and my own obser- 

 vation. 



The annual exhibition of this society was held on the 24th and 

 25th of September, 1874. The two days were all that could be 

 desired, and, even more ; the soil was very sandy and dry, the dust 

 oppressive. Not being familiar with their programme, I arrived 

 there one day earlier than I should have done. But it proved all 

 for the best, as I had a better opportunity to know them. 



On entering upon the grounds the first day, I must say I was 

 somewhat disappointed, as I saw few people, comparative!} 7 , and but 

 few contributions for the fair. I inquired for the president. On 

 being introduced, I found him all that could be desired for the 

 occasion. He informed me that the first day was a day of prepara- 

 tion. In fact, all seemed busy getting ready for the fair in every 

 department. 



On the afternoon of the first day the society held its annual 

 meeting for the choice of officers, to which I was cordially invited. 

 There I learned that the society was perfectly united, free from 

 debt, and owning a beautiful park, with graded track, and a large, 

 commodious hall, 70 by 100 feet long, two stories and basement, — 



