REPORTS OF DELEGATES. 317 



This meeting was continued until 10 o'clock, and without 

 any lack of interest, or an indication of weariness ; and this, too, 

 without the aid of professional men, and mainly by members of 

 the society. 



In short, I most cheerfully bear testimony that this society is 

 quietly doing a good work, and much in its mode of operations 

 is worthy of imitation by older societies. 



P. Stedman. 



HAMPDEN EAST. ' 



This society held its annual exhibition on the 13th and 14th 

 days of October. 



The grounds occupied and now owned by the society are near 

 the centre of Palmer, and were formerly known as the " Trotting 

 Park." They embrace a large tract of land finely situated and 

 inclosed, and well adapted to its use. It affords ample room 

 for ploughing and drawing matches, and a half-mile track, fitted 

 in the best manner, for the show and trial of horses and for the 

 exhibition of large teams of cattle. Well-arranged pens are 

 provided for different classes of animals. They are easily 

 approached, and afford good opportunity to view what they 

 contain, but are hardly spacious enough for the number of 

 animals confined in them on the present occasion. Nothing 

 seems to be wanting now but the erection of a suitable hall, — 

 for which, we understand^ measures are already in train, — to 

 render the place all that cait be desired for a large agricultural 

 exhibition. 



But of the actual strength and prosperity of the society, 

 except as these circumstances indicate it, we do not suppose a 

 fair opportunity was afforded, on this occasion, to form a correct 

 opinion. Circumstances, which affected more or less injuri- 

 ously nearly all the agricultural exhibitions of the State, had, 

 undoubtedly, a similar effect here. A large proportion of those 

 who are accustomed to attend such exhibitions as visitors, if not 

 as competitors, were necessarily absent. The scarcity and high 

 price of labor, together with the peculiar character of the season, 

 probably prevented such a display of the products of the soil, 



