xviii REPORTS OF DELEGATES. 



Connecticut, to the state line on the south, it covers a tract of 

 country, perhaps unsurpassed in the State for agricultural pur- 

 poses. Since its formation, other societies have been chartered 

 within its original limits, which, in some respects, are honorable 

 rivals, and admonish the parent society to keep up a vigorous and 

 healthy growth for its future usefulness. 



Some of the earliest breeders of thoroughbred stock in the State 

 were in this valley, and the effect of their example was remarkably 

 apparent at this exhibition, where the largest part of the animals 

 were pure breed, there being 85 entries of this class. Some of them 

 were herds of from five to twelve in number, and of very uniform 

 excellence and type. 



The principal exhibitors of Shorthorns were Messrs. Judd, Bates 

 and Chamberlin, of South Haclley. Within the limits of this society 

 can probably be found more pure-breed Shorthorns, if not also Ayr- 

 shires, than in an} T other in the State. Some of the first to introduce 

 this strain of blood were the Huntingtons, of Hadley, in 1834. In 

 1837, Paoli Lathrop established a herd, and continued to breed with 

 much success for many years. Others have followed, and now in 

 almost every neighborhood may be found some finely-developed 

 animals of this breed. 



Ayrshires were represented b} T Thorp and Chase, of Northamp- 

 ton, Hubbard, of Sunderland, and the Agricultural College. Haskell, 

 of Deerfielcl, Chase and Allen, of Northampton, had some fine 

 Jerseys. 



Of grade Shorthorns there were some very fine stock represented 

 by H. S. Porter, and a herd of 25 from the State Lunatic Hospital. 

 Zeri Smith, of Deerfield, entered a herd of 17 in this class, bred and 

 raised by himself for the dairy, showing such marks of excellence 

 that they were worthy of notice and commendation. 



Of the 16 entries for bulls of all ages, we have rarely, if ever, 

 seen a better exhibition at a county fair. 



For sheep, one flock of choice Southdowns — six bucks, three 

 ewes and one lamb — covers the ground in this department. 



Swine were less in number, the Agricultural College and the State 

 Hospital competing for the honor of the best boar, — the former 

 carrying off the prize. 



Fowls : The entries in the poultry division were worthy of exam- 

 ination, and said to be the best ever made by the society. * 



For the display in the hall of all the wondrous gifts of nature and 

 the arts, — which the devices of man, and, more especialby, the handi- 

 work of woman, adorned in rich profusion, with refined and cultured 

 taste, — we have no tongue to give fitting praise, or pen to transcribe 

 all that we saw that was pleasing, instructive and useful. 



