APPENDIX. xxix 



ground, whose general appearance evinced the fact that their owners 

 had aimed at, and had attained, a high standard of excellence in 

 selecting, breeding and training this class of domestic animals. 

 The drawing-match was a prominent feature in the daj-'s doings, and 

 continued several hours. The object of this performance seemed to 

 be to ascertain how much of a load it was barely possible for a } T oke 

 of cattle to move a distance not less than six inches. Some would 

 move the load without much apparent effort, while others succeeded, 

 after repeated trials, with the greatest apparent difficult}'. Some of 

 the spectators even suggested the enforcement of the law for the 

 prevention of cruelty to animals. This practice of straining cattle 

 to the extent of their power is decidedly wrong, and should be 

 speedily abolished. A drawing- match should be instituted not 

 solely to exhibit the strength of the animals, but to show their 

 intelligence and training. A load should be selected appropriate to 

 their size and age ; one which they can handle without extraordinary 

 efforts. 



Whipping, j'elling, violent or threatening gestures, should not be 

 tolerated, for a well-bred ox will do his whole duty, or all that 

 should be required of him, without any violent urging, if he is 

 encouraged by the cheerful voice of his driver. 



The society have Fairbanks's scales on their grounds, and every 

 yoke of cattle is weighed and the weight marked on the yoke, and a 

 record of the same made by the weigher ; so, at least once a year, 

 every farmer may know the weight of his cattle. 



In sheep, swine and poultry this society takes but little interest, 

 if we are allowed to judge b}' the meagre display on exhibition. "With 

 the exception of one Southdown buck, there was nothing in this line 

 worthy of notice. 



The display in the hall was very fine, and embraced the usual 

 variety of products always found at agricultural exhibitions. 

 Almost every article had been produced or selected with great care, 

 and excellent taste displaj*ed in its arrangement. The society is 

 young, this being its ninth annual exhibition, and, judging from 

 appearances, it is doing a good work in the development of the 

 agricultural resources of these mountain-towns. 



Financially they are in a healthy condition, their assets exceeding 

 five thousand dollars, and their indebtedness fifteen hundred. 



The address was delivered by Richard Goodman, Esq., of Lenox, 

 a former member of this Board. It was full of practical suggestions, 

 and was listened to with marked attention. 



A. P. Slade. 



