APPENDIX. xxxiii 



NANTUCKET. 



The twelfth annual exhibition of the Nantucket Agi-icultural Society 

 was held on the grounds of the society on the 25th and 26th days of 

 September ; and notwithstanding the forbidding appearance of the 

 weather in the morning, the Nantucketers, who are accustomed to wet, 

 being entirely surrounded by water, failed not to appear in good time 

 and in good numbers to enter into the toils and festivities of the occasion. 



A spirit of laudable ambition Avas brought to the fair in the hearts of 

 those who had long anticipated the day when each would vie with his 

 neighbor and rejoice the heart of his companion. 



The clouds passed away, and left the afterpart of each day joyous in 

 the rays of the great luminary, and the faces of those present beaming 

 with delight and in thanksgiving to Him who rules the destinies of man, 

 that He had vouchsafed to them the clear air and the refreshing breeze, 

 which gave to all surrounding objects a beauty which they had feared 

 would appear in but simple deformity. 



The occasion was honored by the presence not only of the dwellers 

 on the island, but by a goodly number from various sections, whose 

 presence added to the pleasures of the day. That strangers should be 

 attracted to this place, is not to be wondered at, when we consider the 

 many beauties it is capable of introducing to the eye and to the under- 

 standing. 



The cattle presented for exhibition discovered a laudable enterprise 

 in the farmers of Nantucket. But few animals were on exhibition that 

 would not grace the pens at any county show. Most of the superior 

 stock was of the Alderney and Ayrshire breeds, which seem to be better 

 adapted to that locality than are the Durhams. There were some very 

 fine specimens of Ayrshires exhibited by Manuel Enas and A. M. 

 Myrick. Superior Alderney stock was exhibited by James Thompson, 

 Esq., president of the society, and by A. Franklin and Edward 

 Hammond. 



The enterprise of these gentlemen in the way of stock-breeding is 

 doing much to benefit that society, and through it the community at 

 large. 



It is difficult often for us to break away from our own old habits, or 

 to get out of the track trod by our fathers. This may be a reason why 

 so few of our worthy agriculturists do not enter more readily into the 

 improvement of their herds of cattle. The cost of keeping the improved 

 and approved breeds is no more than that of the less approved. When 

 every farmer shall have looked to his own interest in this matter, we 

 shall find our pastures covered with better stock, and our stalls filled 



