APPENDIX. xvii 



neighborhood of working-oxen. There was a good show ; between 

 30 and 40 yoke were present, and among them many fine cattle that 

 showed most excellent training. The town-teams from Uxbridge 

 and Mendon, and from Sutton and Charlton, were so nearly equal that 

 it was difficult to find a committee to decide upon their merits. But 

 few sheep and swine were on the ground, but those few were superior. 

 The usual show of poultiy was present. The horse was the great 

 feature of the day, and as the time approached for the display, large 

 delegations of his admirers filled the grounds, and a better-natured 

 crowd of people I never met, and I should judge that their enthu- 

 siasm might last to crown the next as a perfect success. 



The interior of the hall presented a very fine appearance. The 

 show of fruit, flowers and vegetables was good, and the admirable 

 manner of their arrangement showed most excellent judgment. The 

 bread and butter looked good enough to eat without the addition 

 of hone} T , preserves and jellies, that lined the tables in great abun- 

 dance, and the ladies' department in domestic and fancy articles 

 tended to show that their whole time is not devoted to the making 

 of butter and preserves. 



The mechanical department was full}' represented. The dinner 

 was commended by every one that tried its good qualities ; but I 

 noticed many empt}' seats. The after-dinner speeches had the right 

 ring. They have ministers up there who talk farming as though 

 they knew what they were talking about, and if any of the societies 

 or farmers' clubs want to have a good, sensible talk on farming, let 

 them send for the Rev. M. Richardson, of Milford, or the Rev. 

 George S. Ball, of Upton. 



And, on the whole, I should say, that the exhibition was a com- 

 plete success. 



Eliphalet Stonk. 



HAMPSHIRE, FRANKLIN AND HAMPDEN. 



In accordance with my appointment, I visited the Hampshire, 

 Franklin and Hampden Societ} r at their fifty-sixth annual exhibition, 

 on their grounds at Northampton, the 7th, 8th and 9th of October. 



Upon entering the ground, your delegate was received with eveiy 

 mai*k of courtesy and attention, and every facility possible was 

 afforded me to witness the exhibition in all its departments. This 

 society is one of the oldest in the State, and has a most honorable 

 record in what it has accomplished in the past. Embracing as it 

 does within its limits three counties, and stretching from Vermont 

 and New Hampshire, on the north, down the fertile valley of the 

 3* 



