xxxii APPENDIX. 



for competition. Aftei- the Avork had been done, I visited the ground 

 ploughed, and found it well done in all respects. I now enter the hall 

 and find one of the best exhibitions of fruit and vegetables I ever 

 witnessed. The variety of Porter apples exhibited, exceeded anything 

 I ever saw. I noticed some sweet potatoes raised there, which would 

 compare with any Delawares or Carolinas. The ladies evidently 

 intended to sustain their part in the hall exhibition. The needle-work 

 and also artificial flowers furnished by them, served to interest the eyes 

 of all beholders. 



The dairy department was also well sustained, both in the exhibition 

 of cheese and butter, and in fine, in all the departments in the hall a 

 well cultivated taste and a well directed effort has made the ladies' 

 department a perfect success. 



I now come to the last part of the programme, yet not the least 

 interesting. I allude to the custom of the members meeting in this 

 upper hall, with their wives and children, to surround the tables loaded 

 with the substantial and inviting viands and luxuries to refresh the 

 inner man. 



This was the pleasantest feature your delegate ever noticed at any of 

 our fairs. I think one of the greatest blessings arising from our socie- 

 ties is derived from the social influences which ought to be felt in thus 

 mingling together. Let us as men renew our acquaintance with each 

 other, from time to time, exchanging thoughts also upon the interests of 

 agriculture, and give and receive such information as we may have 

 gathered since the last annual festival. But let us never forget tliat 

 our ladies are entitled to the same privileges of social life and festive 

 gatherings, that we of sterner natures feel the necessity of, for our own 

 good. After the dinner was over, the annual address was delivered by 

 the Rev. James F. Clarke, of Boston. It was an interesting, able and 

 instructive discourse, and listened to Avith marked attention by his 

 audience. After the address proper, the Hon. T. D. Eliot, M. C, and 

 others, followed in short speeches, thus closing the exercises of the day. 



In the evening, as is the usual custom, a large company gathered to 

 spend a short time and perhaps longer, in the pleasures of the dance. 

 But as your delegate did not receive an early education in that art, he 

 did not feel at liberty to engage with the merry party, lest he might 

 prove a stumbling block in the way of enjoyment ; and yet your 

 delegate enjojed the sight of such a party as Avell as could be expected 

 by one not instructed in that accomplishment. I have but to return my 

 thanks to our a-sociate, George A. King, and to the president, N. 

 Hinckley, Esq., for their kindness to me while I remained with them. 



T. D. Thatcher. 



