No. 3. 



Report of Philadelphia Agricultural Society. 



91 



sequence of the extreme drought and dusty 

 condition of the roads, was not numerous, 

 but generally of excellent quality. 



A very respectable number of horses of 

 the different breeds, were on the ground. 

 Many of them were high bred, and others 

 displayed excellent qualifications for coach 

 and road horses; and some cross breeds, 

 well adapted to the use of the farmer. 



The display of Durham cattle was more 

 limited than on former occasions ; but their 

 quality, size, and beautiful appearance, at- 

 tracted the notice of visitors, and it must be 

 acknowledged by all, that they are entitled 

 to a great share of credit, for the interest 

 manifest on the occasion. 



The Devons were well represented, and 

 their appearance attractive. There was a 

 few Ayrshires and Alderneys of good quali 

 ty, and some cows and heifers of mixed and 

 native breeds. Also some good calves, the 

 progeny of the above. Showing that a 

 laudable spirit still exists among farmers, 

 for the improvement of stock, according to 

 their preference for any particular variety. 



With regret the committee are obliged to 

 state, that but one pair of working oxen 

 was to be seen on the ground ; they were 

 of fine size, superior form and quality, and 

 perfectly tractable, and were attached to a 

 cart containing a variety of farm products 

 Your committee would recommend to farm- 

 ers the more general use of those valuable 

 animals, as being more economical than 

 horses, and for many purposes more conve 

 nient and efficient. 



But few sheep were on the show ground; 

 they were mostly of Southdown and Leices- 

 ter blood, of the best quality, and attracted 

 much notice. 



There was a good collection of swine, 

 and their appearance creditable; they con- 

 sisted generally of the Chester county breed, 

 and their crosses, some of the mixed, Hamp- 

 shire, Lincoln, and Berkshires, were of good 

 quality. 



The exhibition of poultry was more nu- 

 merous and various than on any former oc- 

 casion, and evinced an increasing spirit of 

 emulation among their breeders. 



Samples of fresh butter of superior flavor 

 were produced ; and also a jar of salted 

 butter of excellent quality, the first of the 

 kind exhibited before the Society. 



The display of machinery and farming 

 utensils was large and very interesting; 

 showing that our ingenious mechanics are 

 untiring in their efforts to accomplish a re- 

 duction of the labour and expenses of culti- 

 vation. 



Some good samples of different varieties 

 of wheat, oats, corn in the ear, «SiC., were 



to be seen ; but the display of roots, the 

 committee regret to state, was very defi- 

 cient in quantity, and they would beg leave 

 to recommend their more general cultiva- 

 tion by farmers for the use of their stock in 

 the winter season. 



Your committee having obtained and pre- 

 pared some ground for ploughing, by staking 

 off the proper allotments for each competit- 

 or, the trial of ploughs and ploughing took 

 place on the second day of the exhibition. 

 The ground, from the long drought, was 

 rendered so hard, that any attempt of the 

 ploughman to force his way through it 

 seemed almost hopeless, but as farmers al- 

 ways have shown good courage on the field, 

 a determination was manifested to make the 

 attempt, and contrary to the expectations of 

 most present, the work was done in a rea- 

 sonable time, and in a manner that displayed 

 to the large concourse of people the great 

 skill of the ploughmen, and the superior 

 quality of the ploughs entered for competi- 

 tion. 



It was pleasing to notice competitors from 

 the neighbouring counties, and some from 

 the State of Delaware, who had honoured 

 the Society with their presence on former 

 occasions. 



In a short time after returning from the 

 plough field, the different committees hav- 

 ing prepared their reports, a large concourse 

 of persons assembled around the stand on 

 the show ground, where the chairman of 

 your committee announced the premiums 

 awarded to the successful competitors. 



Excellent dinners were provided by Mr. 

 Hamill, on both days of the meeting, and 

 the Society was honoured by the presence 

 of many distinguished guests, among whom 

 were H. B. M. Consul at Philadelphia, Mr. 

 Peter, Hon. Charles B. Calvert, Col. H. Ca- 

 pron, Col. W. VV. W. Bowie, Dr. Thomas, 

 and Mr. Woodward, of Maryland, Bryan 

 Jacksoj], Esq., of Delaware, and John Gill 

 and David Whitall, Esqrs., of New Jersey. 

 Some excellent speeches were made by Mr, 

 Peter, Col. Bowie, and others. 



The plan adopted on the present occasion, 

 of disposing of animals by private, instead of 

 public sale, proved highly successful. Many 

 sales were made at fair prices. This cir- 

 cumstance will ofier inducements to many 

 farmers to bring out their best stock for ex- 

 hibition and for sale ; and a fair or market 

 may be established that will bring persons 

 from a distance, and prove to be most conve- 

 nient and advantageous to all parties. 



The committee are happy in stating that 

 the exhibition throughout was conducted in 

 the most orderly manner, and passed off in 

 such a way as to be highly creditable to the 



