HAMPDEN SOCIETY. 219 



first to the end of the last farrow, and awarded him the first 

 premium of ^9. 



And also a gratuity of $'S to Henry Shepherd, of Northamp- 

 ton, for a specimen of ploughing in broom stalks, and one of 

 $2 to Charles P. Hitchcock, of Hadley. 



The number of ploughs without holders, entered upon the 

 field, was five. 



The extreme toughness of the sod, from the abundant roots 

 of sedge and wild grasses, and the consequent unsteady move- 

 ment of the horses, gave the committee cause to apprehend a 

 failure in this part of the exhibition ; and if this list of premi- 

 ums should be continued in future years, as they think it may 

 be with great advantage, they would recommend to the execu- 

 tive committee to furnish land for ploughs without holders, that 

 is not very difficult to plough well with holders. 



Three samples, of ten furrows each, were thought to come 

 within the rules, and to be entitled to premiums, and the com- 

 mittee awarded the — 



1st premium of f 10 to Frederick A. Clark. 

 2d " 9 to William Clark, Jr. 



3d " 8 to Alfred Starkweather. 



For the best stubble plough, the premium of $15 00 was 

 awarded to Messrs Prouty & Mears. Also, the same amount 

 for the best turf plough. 



WILLIAM CLARK, Chairman. 



Poultry. 



We would congratulate the society on the fine exhibition of 

 poultry. Considering the limited attention the subject of 

 poultry has received amongst us, so fine a collection and va- 

 riety have never been seen within our limits, particularly of 

 those kinds now engaging the attention of the farmer and am- 

 ateur. No particular statement of experiments in keeping the 

 various kinds of poultry have been handed in to your commit- 

 tee, yet we trust that hereafter plain and practical information will 



