328 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



At 1^^ o'clock, P. M., the crowd of people made their way to 

 the hall, where they listened to a very spirited dedicatory 

 address from the Rev. A. L. Stone, of Boston, followed by a 

 poem from Hon. William M. Rodman, of Providence, which 

 ended the exercises for the second day. The exhibition in the 

 hall was very fine indeed, inclnding piles upon piles of apples 

 and pears, the latter numbering its varieties by the hundred, 

 some of which I never saw excelled. Grapes were shown in 

 abundance, both in and out-door varieties. 



Vegetables were numerous and fair in quality. 



Flowers in abundance and very fine. 



The display of domestic manufactures was very large, and 

 uncommonly beautiful, being exhibited in separate articles, and 

 in some instances by whole cases and tables. Bristol County 

 may justly pride herself upon this department of her show. 



In heavy manufactures the show was very full and fine. 

 Among them we noticed a splendid case of plated ware from the 

 manufactory of Reed & Barton ; 302 varieties of tacks from A. 

 Fields & Sons ; a very handsome display of furniture from S. 

 Washburn & Son. 



The case of stuffed birds, exhibited by Charles L. Blood, 

 attracted much attention. The table of William Mason was 

 very attractive, and by its extent showed that the owner had an 

 interest not only in his extensive manufactory, but also in the 

 farm and garden. There I saw the heavy parts of machinery — 

 the musket with its polished barrel and bayonet — the fine grapes, 

 both in and out-door varieties — rare plants, apples, pears, plums, 

 and an extensive assortment of field and garden vegetables. 

 This table excelled in all of its departments, and was a sight to 

 behold, being nearly the whole length of the hall, and full to 

 overflowing throughout its entire length. New patterns of 

 ciiurns, ploughs, buckets, stoves, and various other things were 

 there in too numerous a number for me to examine, much less 

 to mention. 



On the morning of the third day rain was falling and the 

 roads heavy, which caused people to keep in doors, and neces- 

 sarily the attendance was small, and confined mostly to members 

 of the society, who were collected in the hall where the premiums 

 were read, and where at 1 o'clock, P. M., the annual dinner 

 was partaken of, after which followed an eloquent address from 



