AGRICULTURAL PAIRS AND CATTLE SHOWS. 



301 



when in Boston, we noticed peiliaps a hundred 

 teams employed by the city in preparing tlie gronnd. 

 We were shown by Mr. Wilder a subscription of 

 $30,000, to sustain the exhibition. The smallest 

 sum on this paper was $500. Ten thousand dollars 

 are offered as premiums. We were much pleased 

 to learn, at a meeting of the directors to which we 

 were very Kindly invited, that a new feature in 

 this country is to be introduced. Instead of the 

 rough, nnsightly board sheds for horses and cattle, 

 a frame is to be erected, to be covered with white 

 canvass, ornamented with a short drop curtain. 

 This is similar to tlie English shows, and will give the 

 grounds a very beautiful and picturesque appear- 

 ance. Mr. E. C. Williams, _of this city, erects 

 these tents, and this is a sutBcient guarantee that it 

 will be done in excellent taste. As we left Boston 

 before the arrangements were completed, we wrote 

 the Secretary fur further inlbrmation, who has. 

 kindly sent us the following letter : 



" Seoretaey's Office U. S. .\g. Soo't, ) 

 Boston, September 10, 1855. j 



'■'■My Dear Sir — Your note of inquiry as to the 

 Show of the United States Agricultural Society, to 

 be held in the city of Boston on the 23d, 24th, 25th, 

 and 20th days of October next, was duly received; 

 and of such arrangements as are already made or 

 decided upon, I hasten to advise you. 



"The Show Grounds are situated in the limits of 

 Boston, within reasonable walking distance of any 

 part of the city ; but ample facilities will be provi- 

 ded for those -who prefer (and who does not) to 

 ride. A fine public square, generously granted by 

 the corporation for the inirposes of the exhibition, 

 has been graded to a i>erfect level, and will be in- 

 closed by a tight board fence ten feet high. Within 

 this inclosure a one-half mile track for the trial of 

 horses will be carefully prepared. Its curves are 

 such, as our engineer assures us, that a locomotive 

 can describe them at top of speed ; consequently, 

 locomotive quadrupeds can, with ease, put out their 

 full powers without ^hrenlcing ?/^<,' as on many 

 courses too often happei;s, to the damage of the 

 horses' reputation for speed, the annoyance of dri- 

 vers, and the disappointment of tlie 'crowd.' 



"On the nurtb, east, and south sides of the 

 grounds, tdjoining the fence, will be erected stables 

 for stock, extending in length over three thousand 

 feet, with inner lines of stalls, at either end of the 

 track. 



"In the accommodations for animals, we have 

 adopted laany of the best features of the Englisli 

 shows, which I, at least, have never seen copied in 

 this country. The eli'ect to the observer will he 

 fine, and the occnpants in no whit losers by the 

 change. 



"The Coehitnate water, of which Bostonians 

 boast, will be introduced and plentifully distributed 

 through every part of the inclosure, for the better 

 convenience of the exhibitors and the exhibited. 



" Seats for five thbusand spectators will be built 

 on the west side of the track, on the home stretch, 

 so that occupants may oversee the two most impor- 

 tant parts of the " trial of speed," viz., the start 

 and tiie coming in ; while their elevation will ena- 

 ble them to witness all the exciting and tantalizing 

 occurrences incident to a trot — the baulk — the 

 break — the widening gap — the favorite's nose 

 nearing the distance post when his competitors' 

 tail has jiassed the goal! This improvement has, 

 I am pleased to see, been adopted at most of our 

 large shows. 



"All the buildings upon the grounds will be 

 erected under the superintendence of Mr. John R. 

 Hall, architect to the Society, whose professional 

 taste and skill have secured to him an enviable rep- 

 utation. These erections are beautifully designed, 

 and with a proper distribution of the large and 

 smaller tents over the vast area, can not fail to 

 produce a fine effect. 



" ' An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of 

 cure,' and we shall accordingly take every precau- 

 tion against the occurrence of accidents ; but as 

 ' accidents will happen in the best regulated fami- 

 lies,' our old friend. Dr. Geo. H. Dadd, who is onr 

 veterinary surgeon, will be in constant attendance, 

 to render his professional services in cases of need. 



" Of course, no one can now speak with any cer- 

 tainty as to the number or character of the entries 

 which will be made ; but we shall be sadly disap- 

 pointed if in quality and quantity of stock it does 

 not excel all our previous exhibitions; and, as you 

 know, we had no reason to be a.shamed of either of 

 them. We calculate witli considerable confidence 

 on entries from your State, as well as from most of 

 the other States. But do not judge of our Massa- 

 chusetts animals by the Durham buU shown at 

 Springfield, Ohio. If your breeders conclude to 

 come on, do not allow thera to draw on us, hefore 

 they have home, for their premiums as being a sure 

 thing. 



"The Horse Department will be very certain to 

 delight every lover of that noble (juadrnped. Al- 

 ready we have been advised of the intended exhibi- 

 tion of some of the finest imported animals in the 

 country ; and our horses of home manufacture will 

 be in mass convention, you may rely on it. The 

 first trotters in America will try their speed on this 

 national course for the championship, and the most 

 famous stallions will be here to uphold their repu- 

 tation. Come and see them, and bring all your 

 frifuds. 



"The show of Sheep and Swine will undoubtedly 

 be great and excellent, for their home is but a few 

 hours' ride hence. 



" Our premium list has been sent to you, by 

 which yon will see that we ofl'er in the aggregate 

 about ten thousand dollars. Our expenses may be 

 estimated as near ten thousand dollars more. Our 

 admission fee is but twenty-five cents. So please 

 give us your good wishes for onehundi-ed thousand 

 visitors. We hope for more ! 



" On the afternoon of Friday, tlie last day of the 

 show, a Grand Agricultural Banquet will be held 

 under a large tent on the grounds. Seats for three 

 thousand jiersons will be provided ; and when yon 

 know that our excellent President, Makshali. P. 



