278 , NORFOLK SOCIETY. 



NORFOLK AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



In submitting the return of the doings of this society, the 

 President and Secretary, (Hon. Marshall P. Wilder and Hon. 

 Edward L. Keyes,) say : — 



Our " cattle show " took place at Dedham, on the 25th of 

 September. The day was pleasant, and the Exhibition, as a 

 whole, was highly satisfactory. A spacious tent, covering a 

 surface of 25,000 square feet, afforded every facility for the dis- 

 play of fruits and flowers, vegetables, domestic manufactures, 

 and the products of female labor, taste and ingenuity. 



There were sixteen competitors for the premiums on plough- 

 ing, and the trial was witnessed by a vast concourse of citi- 

 zens. 



The exhibition of poultry was considered more extensive, 

 and of superior merit in regard to the specimens presented, than 

 any that had previously been held. The display of fruits and 

 flowers far surpassed that of the preceding year, and was quite 

 worthy the character of a county somewhat distinguished in 

 horticulture. The entries of stock were more numerous than 

 last year, but with the exception of some fine animals brought 

 for exhibition merely, there was not much to boast of. There 

 were, however, several pairs of working oxen, and one or two 

 bulls of foreign blood, which attracted attention, but there is 

 evidently room for improvement in this department of our an- 

 nual exhibitions. 



There were some rare specimens of swine exhibited, which 

 for variety and excellence of the breeds, as well as for the char- 

 acter of the animals, could not well be surpassed in any sec- 

 tion of the Commonwealth. 



Four farms were entered for premium, and, by reference to 

 the report of the committee, it will be seen that there has been 

 great progress made in the methods of cultivation, and great 

 improvement in the management of farms. The expenditure 

 of money and the employment of skill combined, are doing 



