APPENDIX. ix 



written for some years yet. The attendance the first day was estimated 

 at some five thousand, and the second day at eight thousand. The very 

 presence of so many stalwart and intelligent yeomen, with their wives 

 and daughters, all in their holiday attire, behaving decorously, and 

 exhibiting inteUigence, manliness and self-respect, in their countenances, 

 words and actions, is one of the most pleasing features of these agricul- 

 tural exhibitions. At Fitchburg, we are most happy to say, everything 

 was done decently and in order. Though the crowd was large, we 

 noticed no boorish conduct, nor a single person under the influence of 

 intoxicating liquors. As we have passed through Worcester County 

 occasionally from our childhood, we have been led, from the appearance 

 of the lands, barns and houses, to put a high estimate upon the farms of 

 the county, and the conclusion was that the farms were an index of the 

 farmers. Our conclusion was verified on seeing them together at 

 Fitchburg, and our faith was lost in sight. 



This was the first exhibition of the society on its own grounds, and 

 the attendance larger and more enthusiastic on this account. These 

 grounds comprise twenty-five acres, pleasantly located, well Avatered, 

 beautified with gi-oves on the north and south, and surrounded by a 

 substantial board fence. At pre-ent, the president, secretary and 

 exhibitors have to dwell, like Abraham, in tents, but we doubt not the 

 enterprise of the society will soon lead to the erection of suitable struc- 

 tures for the accommodation of man and beast. This struck us as the 

 great want of the Worcester North Society. Tents may have been 

 well enough for the patriarchs, with their nomadic habits and mild 

 climate, but New England is on a higher plane, both literally and figur- 

 atively, than Canaan, and ceiled houses for men and warm shelter for 

 stock are Avhat our latitude and civilization demand, and on our next 

 visit to Fitchburg we expect to see this demand satisfied. 



The ploughing match occurred on the morning of the first day, and 

 we noticed a division of the teams into oxen and steers, the former com- 

 peting sepai'ately from the latter, a division which we recommend for 

 adoption by other societies. 



The exhibition of neat stock, sheep, swine and poultry lasted only 

 through the first day, and was large and every way creditable to the 

 enterprise of the farmers of North Worcester. We respectfully suggest 

 to the managers that the exhibition of this kind of stock should continue 

 through both days. Every well formed, thoroughbred animal is an 

 educator, and should give lessons for more than one day, especially as 

 the number of scholars present is generally larger the second day than 

 the first. The original name of these exhibitions was " cattle shows," 

 but a visitor on the second day may well ask, " Where are the cattle ? " 

 The exhibition on the second day has, in too many of our societies, 

 b 



