xii APPENDIX. 



display of steers and young oxen. Several herds, consisting of cows, 

 heifei's and calves, were on exhibition, Avhich would do credit to any 

 society. Some very choice specimens of the Jerseys, as good as I have 

 ever seen. Of their working oxen I cannot speak too highly. I think 

 I never saw so good training. It was truly surpiising to see what 

 command the driver had over his oxen, — not by the use of the whip, 

 but by the still small voice that seemed to inspii'e his team with life and 

 action. One incident was particularly noticeable. After trying twice 

 to back the load up the hill, and having almost succeeded, one man 

 withdrew from the conflict, saying that he would rather lose the prize 

 than whip his team. Would that we had more such men to train and 

 drive our oxen. 



The show of swine was very fair. A few very nice animals. 



There was only one lot of sheep on the grounds. 



There was a fine show of breeding mares and colts, some of which 

 were held at fabulous prices, and most of them from noted stock. Judg- 

 ing from the young stock of horses on exliibition, as well as from some 

 old ones, Ave should think that in the future there would be no lack of 

 good horses within the limits of this society. Some very fine pairs of 

 matched horses were shown, as well as a large number of good single 

 driving horses. These all made a good display on the track. 



As usual, the programme ended with a horse trot, which went off, we 

 think, to the satisfaction of the crowd. 



The display in the hall Avas very good, but not as full in some depart- 

 ments as it might have been. There were some very nice specimens 

 of apples, good for any year, but particularly so for this. Some excel- 

 lent winter squashes, that looked good enough to eat. The ladies exhib- 

 ited some very fine specimens of domestic and fancy articles, which 

 showed no lack of interest on their part. 



On the whole we consider the fair a success, and one which does 

 credit to the society. 



The address, by Judge Russell, was one calculated to instruct as well 

 as interest, and was listened to with marked attention. 



I will close this Report by acknowledging the courtesy of our friend, 

 Mr. Knowlton, and the officers of the society. 



H. S. P OUTER. 



HAMPSHIRE, FRANKLIN AND HAMPDEN. 



As delegate from the State Board of Agriculture, I attended the 

 forty-ninth annual exhibition of the Hampshire, Franklin and Hampden 

 Society, which was held on their grounds at Northampton, October 3d 

 and 4th. I had seen some, and heard much of the Durham stock raised 



