318 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



as might otherwise have been seen. Whether any deficiency in 

 this respect was comparatively greater now than on former 

 occasions, or greater liere than elsewhere, we are unable to say. 

 Judging from condensed reports of other exhibitions, to be seen 

 in the public prints, we should suppose the deficiency was by 

 no means greater here than elsewhere. 



On the first day of the exhibition, the occasion seemed to 

 have attracted little public attention, so small was the collection 

 of people on the grounds. There was, however, a grand display 

 of cattle, which would have been creditable to any society. 

 These were chiefly grades, of Devon and Durham breeds. 

 Among them were several fine herds of cows and heifers, all of 

 like breed ; bulls also, of pure blood, each having at its side a 

 large number of its progeny, which showed, in many instances, 

 the peculiarities of shape, color, and disposition of their sires. 

 There was a large collection of well-trained working oxen ; 

 several weighty fat cattle, in fine condition ; and a long string 

 of town teams, — embi'acing, among others, twenty-two yokes 

 from Monson and eleven from Brimfiel(J, making a display not 

 often to be surpassed.- 



Of sheep, we observed only a few. They were chiefly of the 

 Leicester and South Down breeds. Among them were one or 

 two superior animals. 



Of swine, the collection was small, and in no way remarkable. 



Of poultry, the display was respectable, both as to numbers 

 and varieties. Attached to one coop, containing twelve common 

 barn-yard hens, was this marvellous statement of their produce 

 in a single year : " 185 dozen eggs, besides several broods of 

 chickens." From sale of eggs alone, there had been realized 

 $<33.30. And to this should be added sales of sundry pairs of 

 chickens at a good price ; while the net cost of grain consumed 

 by the whole was but $7.80. 



The fruits, vegetables, and grains, with the domestic and 

 fancy articles, were exhibited in the vestry of the Congregational 

 church. The display in each department, though each was 

 limited in quantity, was of good quality. 



The ploughing-match had been finished before our arrival in 

 the morning. It brought out a good number of competitors, 

 with ploughs of different patterns. The work appeared to have 

 been well done, — pulverizing the soil, and leaving, in most 



