APPENDIX. XV 



farmers purchase their oxen more or less matured, instead of carefully 

 breeding and growing them themselves. The other reason is, that more 

 labor is required of them than by the hill farmers. 



There was a large number of horses entered for premiums, making a 

 very interesting part of the exhibition. A number of two and three- 

 year-old colts were noble animals. More than one hundred and sixty 

 dollars were awai'ded for horses, not including premiums for speed. 



Sheep, SAvine and fowls seemed to occupy their due proportion of 

 space and attention. 



The display in the hall deserves as much notice as any part of the 

 exhibition. Many of the manufactured articles seemed to be from the 

 immediate vicinity. Among them, carpenters' tools, by William Kel- 

 logg, of Amherst ; repeating shot-guns, by Roper Rifle Co., of Amherst ; 

 gold pens, by Haskins Brothers, of Shutesbury. 



The specimens of rye, winter wheat and corn were particularly fine. 



A table extending the entire length of the hall was filled with a great 

 variety of products, by Sunderland people alone. 



A few figures Avill give some idea of the display in the hall. More 

 than 150 varieties of plants, in pots and tubs, by President Clark, of 

 Amherst, and W. H. Lyman, of Leverett ; 58 entries of honey, wines, 

 jellies and pickles ; 34 entries of bread. David S. Cowles, of Hadley, 

 had the largest collection of fruits, comprising 46 varieties. 



Professor John Bascom, of Williams College, delivered the annual 

 address on the afternoon of the first day. Subject, " The Peculiar Edu- 

 cation the Farmer requires." It was listened to with marked interest. 



After dinner on the second day, the society was first addressed by the 

 president, Austin Eastman, who also introduced Hon. William B. Wash- 

 bui'n, of Greenfield. Mr. Washburn congratulated the society on the 

 success of the exhibition ; said it was better than he expected to see 

 here, especially the display in the hall. He referred to the interest felt 

 in the Agricultural College. 



Dr. Nathan Durfee, of Fall River, one of the trustees of the Agri- 

 cultural College, and a member of this Board, was loudly called. He 

 remarked the striking contrast between the beautiful and fertile fields of 

 Hampshire and the rock-bound coast and sandy barrens of Bristol 

 County, stating also some facts, showing what careful culture, aided by 

 science, has done in some instances in turning those barrens to fruitful 

 fields. 



Hon. Edward Dickinson, of Amherst, was then introduced by the 

 president as father of the society, — the preliminary movements sug- 

 gested by Mr. D., some eighteen years ago, having resulted in gaining 

 a charter from the State. Mr. Dickinson traced, as results of this 

 society, the growth and increase of important interests of the town. 



