REPORTS OF DELEGATES. 335 



I consider it the plough of all others for the farmer to use. 



And here I will recommend to the farmers of Dukes County 

 to shelter their sheep from the cold and bleak winds of winter, 

 and the damp and chilly atmosphere, which will greatly reduce 

 the quantity of feed requisite for them, also increase the quality 

 and quantity of wool, as well as make the ewes healthier and 

 stronger in bringing forth their offspring. 



The society's large and commodious hall was well filled and 

 handsomely decorated with the handiwork of the ladies of the 

 island. 



The tables were loaded with every conceivable variety of 

 fruits, flowers and vegetables common on such occasions ; also 

 grains, such as wheat, rye, oats and corn, of superior quality. 



Bread, butter, cheese, cake, wines and jellies of unsurpassed 

 excellence ; which shows what a prize a young farmer can 

 obtain by going to the island. 



The fruit, as a whole, was the best I have seen this year. 

 Apples, though not abundant, were very fine. Pears, several 

 varieties, large and fine also. Quinces and grapes were of 

 surpassing excellence. Peaches, the first and only ones I liave 

 seen grown in the State, were beautiful. Cranberries, the like 

 of which, for size and beauty, I never saw. All of which is 

 conclusive evidence that the soil and climate of the island is 

 pecuiarly well adapted to the cultivation of most kinds of fruit, 

 and especially so to pears, quinces, peaches, grapes and cran-. 

 berries. 



In the floral department there was a great variety, of both 

 natural and artificial ; well arranged and of most exquisite 

 beauty. 



The most attractive feature in the hall was the rich and 

 varied specimens of shell-work, comprising monuments, grottos, 

 picture frames, with and without pictures ; vases and vases of 

 flowers, of most extraordinary beauty. It excited the wonder 

 and admiration of all present. The ladies of Dukes County are 

 not to be outdone, in their department, by any society in the 

 State. And they are entitled to great credit and a meed of 

 praise, for their untiring labors to make, as they did, a mag- 

 nificent display of industry and skill in their works of art. 

 There was, also, some beautiful specimens of painting, of which 

 I cannot particularize. 



