xlii REPORTS OF DELEGATES. 



music by the band, the president, Hon. Charles G. Davis, having, 

 the day preceding, after a service of eighteen consecutive years, 

 declined a reelection, addressed those present in appropriate terms. 

 At his right at the table sat the Hon. Benjamin Ilobart, a venerable 

 ex-president of the society, then in his ninet}'-third year, and Hon. 

 Artemas Hale, formerly many 3'ears treasurer of the societ} T , and a 

 well known ex-member of Congress. There having been no distin- 

 guished lecturer secured, — the late Hon. Alfred Macy, of the gov- 

 ernor's council, who had been expected, failing to arrive, — the presi- 

 dent pronounced the meeting a family gathering. It was further 

 addressed by Hon. B. W. Harris, M. C, from the second district, 

 who was the newly-elected president, and briefly by some others. 



It was not convenient for me, as your delegate, to remain over 

 the third chay, nor did it seem needful for me to do so. I have only to 

 say that, from reliable sources of information, I am enabled to state 

 that the assignments for that day were, as had been those for the 

 preceding days, successful. 



This is one of the old, wealttry and vigorous county agricultural 

 societies. It possesses in itself the power to succeed, and it effect- 

 ually uses that power. Its property 's worth about $50,000. By 

 repeated additions to its lands since its first purchase here, it now 

 holds an area of more than fifty acres. Its yearly receipts from its 

 fairs alone are from $2,000 to $4,000. Its entire receipts for the 

 last year had been $9,452.83, and its payments, including $2,G87 in 

 premiums, were $9,408.70. Among the expenditures of last year 

 was an item of $1,100 for the erection of new permanent horse-stalls. 

 At its annual meeting, held during this fair, it authorized its board 

 of trustees, by vote, to expend a sum not exceeding $10,000, in 

 enlarging, strengthening and ornamenting its hall. It is emphati- 

 cally a society of farmers, devoted to whatever in the department 

 of agriculture is practically useful. But I learn that it does not 

 encourage the use of the race-course to that extent and in all the 

 modes desired by some. 



A neighboring editor said that "one thing is alwa}-s evident at 

 the opening of the Bridgewater fairs, and that is the perfection of 

 the arrangements in all departments." The facts, certainly, at this 

 fair, full}' justified the remark. The superintendents had well earned 

 the reputation accorded to them. The faithful execution of the 

 work by the devoted president, the untiring secretaiy, the awarding 

 committees, and others, was a marked feature. Under the chief- 

 marshalship of Ahira S. Porter, of Brockton, aided by a good force 

 of assistants, excellent order was maintained. 



The weather throughout the three days was really autumnal and 

 delightful. The music was furnished on the successive daj^s by 



