APPENDIX. iii 



rewarded for their efforts, not only by the liberal premiums awarded, 

 but by the golden opinions won from a large crowd of spectators. 



But it was at the town hall that the interest and efforts of the 

 members of the society seemed to culminate. 



The exhibition of a large number of most excellent specimens of 

 apples, pears, peaches, and especially of grapes, showed that the people 

 of Essex County had given a commendable degree of attention to the 

 cultivation of fruit. 



The vegetable department was mostly supplied by Samuel A. Merrill, 

 of Danvers, and Richard Webster, of Haverhill, who did themselves 

 great credit by their exhibitions. 



The bread and butter departments were by no means neglected, and 

 every available space about the hall seemed to be filled with articles of 

 domestic manufacturing and the fine ai'ts. 



The floral exhibition was a magnificent affair, and needed to be seen 

 and studied to be appreciated. ^ 



Too great credit cannot be given J. F. "West, of Haverhill, for the 

 interest and good taste manifested on his part in this unusual display of 

 flowers. Large crowds were in attendance at the hall both during the 

 days and evenings of the exhibition. About noon of the second day, 

 a procession was formed in front of the town hall, and escorted to the 

 North Church, where the people were delighted with music by the choir, 

 and instructed by an able and very practical address by the Rev. R. H. 

 Seeley, D. D., of Haverhill, on the subject, " What shall we do with our 

 Fai-ms ? " 



At the close of the interesting exercises at the church the crowds of 

 people were conducted to another feast of fat things prepared at Music 

 Hall. Here the physical man was not only regaled with the best the 

 earth affords, but excellent speeches by Governor Bullock, General 

 Banks and others, did all for the intellectual man that could be desired 

 on the occasion. 



One excellent feature of the exhibition I would not pass in silence, 

 viz. : the promptness Avith which the programme was caiTied out. For 

 instance, the ploughing match was put down to come off at ten o'clock, 

 and though there were from twenty to twenty-five teams entered to 

 plough, in less than five minutes from the time the clock struck the 

 hour, the word " go ! " was given, and every team was at its work. 



In closing this Report, I would not fail to express my obligations to 

 the president and secretary of the society, for the gentlemanly manner 

 in which they entertained me during my stay at Haverhill. 



H. S. Ward. 



