AGRICULTURE AND THE HORSE. 347 



to the well-expressed opinions of the Nestor of New- 

 England agriculture, as he told of all the various 

 economies of his own State of New Hampshu'c, with 

 her hard soil and industrious people. New light 

 poured in from every quarter. It became evident that 

 nothing would satisfy this inquiring and busy multi- 

 tude but an exhibition of their own cattle and crops, 

 and implements of husbandry; and that no questions 

 could be settled by them, except through observation 

 and investigation. The exhibition at Springfield, the 

 first year of the organization of the society, was re- 

 markable for the intellectual and material wealth which 

 it brought together. It was a new day for New- 

 England farming. The debaters were out. Agassiz, 

 for the first time, presented his wealth of scientific 

 culture in his discussions with the practical breeders 

 and cultivators. Gov. Andrew poured forth the great- 

 ness of a great agricultural address. Many an obscure 

 herd came up for the honors of the occasion. Horses 

 as yet unknown to fame sought the "bubble reputation'' 

 there for the first time. New-England ingenuity cov- 

 ered the ground with implements new and old, tried 

 and untried. The cultivators of crops brought out 

 their most startling products. Representatives of the 

 fabulous flocks of Vermont came forth to demonstrate 

 the value of their golden fleeces. The occasion was 

 memorable for all the domestic birds of the air, and 

 beasts of the field. 



Among the most attractive and absorbing of all the 



