secretary's report. 5 



the grounds, was received and entertained by President Jewett. 

 About 1 2 : 30 o'clock procession was formed, at the President's 

 head-quarters, and marched to the hall under the leadership of the 

 consolidated band, where, after an invocation of the divine bless- 

 ing by the Rev. E. W. Smith, the annual society dinner was served. 

 The tables were abundantly supplied, and much credit is due the 

 committee having this very important matter in charge. After due 

 attention had been paid to the good things so abundantly supplied 

 for the wants of the inner man, and the tables cleared. President 

 Jewett called the assembly to order, and introduced Lieut. -Gov. 

 Long, who delivered a practical address upon the importance of 

 agricultural societies and exhibitions of this nature. Ex-Gov. Geo. 

 S. Boutwell spoke ujDon the value of experimental farming, and of 

 the skill necessary to successfully carry on farming in the New 

 England States. Rev. E. A. Horton, of Hingham, very pleasantly 

 closed the post-prandial exercises. 



The exhibition this year was in every particular a decided suc- 

 cess. This result is to be attributed to the interest taken in it by 

 the citizens of the adjoining towns, as well as to the citizens of 

 Fitchburg. The weather was all that could be wished for. It 

 seemed as though we were providentially favored, this beautiful day 

 coming as it did between two stormy days and in a week of rain. 



The success of an exhibition of this nature is due in a large 

 measure to the promptness with v.'hich the various parts of the 

 programme are carried out, to the good order maintained. To 

 Col. F. W. Wright, Chief Marshal, and his corps of efficient aids, 

 to Chief of Police Whitney, and the officers under his charge, gi-eat 

 credit is due for the satisfactory results attending their endeavors, 

 with as large a programme crowded into an exhibition of one day 

 as is usual for a two days' show. 



The thanks of the society ai-e especially due to Mr. R. A. 

 Leonard, the efficient Superintendent of the hall exhibition, to 

 Treasurer Geo. B. Knowlton, and the committee who assisted in 

 the solicitation and preparation of the dinner. 



THOS. C. SHELDON, Secretarx. 



