xliv EEPORTS OF DELEGATES. 



the people are awake and see the importance of growing the best of 

 stock. 



The show of sheep and swine was small, — too small for an exhi- 

 bition of this kind ; and I hope there will be a marked improvement 

 in this department at their next annnal fair. 



The exhibition of horses was very fair. There was no track for try- 

 ing the speed of fast horses, consequently there were but few of that 

 description present. Yet there was a good exhibition of farm-horses, 

 as well as good family driving-horses, and showed a good degree of 

 interest in this department, without the graded track. 



The poultry department was full and complete, and appeared to 

 be unusually good. The number was large and the quality excel- 

 lent. Indeed, all the birds on exhibition were of the useful kind. 

 The ploughing-match was a success, and commanded much atten- 

 tion, — was really one of the most interesting features of the fair. 

 There were in this department 9 entries ; and I can imagine that 

 some of the men did not feel particularly amiable upon seeing their 

 allotted fields, for some pieces were filled with stumps and roots ; 

 } T et all took their places, and right nobly performed their work. 



The exhibition in Agricultural Hall was good, and appeared to be 

 their crowning success ; and too much praise cannot well be bestowed 

 upon the ladies who did so much and contributed so generously. 

 It would be almost impossible to enumerate the different articles of 

 merit, and I shall not be so unwise as to attempt it. I would, how- 

 ever, have been glad to have seen more of the good, old-fashioned 

 domestic articles ; still, there was quite a displa}' of carpeting, with 

 a few pairs of socks and mittens. 



The youths' department was good, and quite attractive. Bread, 

 canned fruit, etc., were worthy of all the premiums they received. 

 I have seen a larger, but never a better display. It being a success- 

 ful year for fruit, the friends of the Marshfield society were not 

 behind their neighbors in making a good and successful display of 

 the different kinds of fruit. Most of it was fair and of good size, 

 though there were a few specimens (as there are at most fairs) of 

 small, native fruit placed upon the tables for the purpose of making 

 a greater number of varieties, but should, in nry opinion, be kept at 

 home, and none should be exhibited except perfect, or nearly per- 

 fect, and well-ripened fruit. 



The floral display was grand, and, in some respects, the best I 

 have ever seen. The society is, indeed, fortunate in having among 

 its members one that can grow and produce such a fine display as 

 the one made by Mr. Alfred Phillips, of Marshfield ; and to him alone 

 is due much credit for the success and fine display of this depart- 

 ment. The basement was well filled with an extensive variety of 



