SECRETARY'S REPORT. 



The twenty-seventh annual exhibition was held on the grounds 

 of the Society, Tuesday, September 23d, 1879. 



At 8 : 30 o'clock A. M., the first in order of the exercises, was 

 the plowing match, held upon land of Mr. Francis W. Towne, the 

 use of which was tendered to the Society. The exhibition of 

 plowing was entered into with energy, there being fifteen entries, 

 a much larger number than is customary. I would suggest for your 

 consideration, that a more definite rule or regulation, in regard to 

 the entries for this part of the annual exhibition, be adopted, and 

 after its adoption it be carried out. The kind of plow to be used, 

 either landside, swivel, double or single plow, should be classed 

 separately. A double plow with subsoil point, a large mould-board 

 to follow, lay over and smooth the furrow, should not compete with 

 a single plow. This is a matter that has caused a great deal of 

 contention, and should be restricted by rigid regulations, and if 

 more classes are formed, offer more premiums. 



The trial of working oxen and steers was a very creditable ex- 

 hibition, especially the exhibition of trained steers, exhibited by 

 Master J. H. Hadley, of Princeton, of whom the committee spoke 

 in the highest terms of commendation. 



The trial of draught horses was revived after several years' 

 neglect, and it was a feature in which much interest was taken. 



The exhibition of gentlemen's driving horses, matched driving 

 horses, and family horses, was rather better than usual. 



The town teams were far in advance of anything that has been 

 shown for a long time, there being two teams, one of sixteen yoke, 

 and one of seventeen yoke of oxen. 



The show of neat stock was especially good, there being a 

 very large exhibition of thorough-bred stock. In the Jersey stock. 



