APPENDIX. iii 



ther reports from the chairman of each explanatory of the opinions 

 of the committee upon tlie subject referred to them, the migratory- 

 character of the annual exhibitions — the mountain going to Ma- 

 homet instead of Mahomet to the mountain, — and last but not least, 

 the sterling, old-fashioned hospitality of the officers and members 

 of the society. 



I cannot undertake to report upon all, nor hardly any portion of 

 what was exhibited on this occasion ; but can only mention a few 

 of the most noteworthy and striking objects ; and as animals come 

 first in order, the two of noblest sort, that drew crowds and shared 

 the interest of all s})ectat()rs with their competitors in other de- 

 partments, were the Hon. B. F. Butler and the eloquent delegate 

 from the Essex society to this Board. The female sex especially, 

 ap])eared to be captivated by the eloquence or the appearance of 

 these gentlemen, and the large church Avas crowded to suffocation 

 to listen to the first attempts of the member from Gloucester to 

 expound the principles of agriculture, and the dinner-table was 

 subsequently abandoned when it was ascertained that each of tke 

 day's favorites was to address the multitude in the edifice above. 

 Full as rare curiosities, and perhaps more highly colored for the 

 occasion than even the eloquence of the orators, were a trio of pur- 

 ple Leghorn fowls whose gay plumage excited the most intense 

 interest, until the discovery was made that it was dyed. 



The other stock on exhibition was of an excellent character, es- 

 pecially the kiue of Messrs. Appleton, Rogers, Dane and others, 

 and the Jerseys of the last-named gentleman were richly deserving 

 of the premiums and apjirobation they received. The horses of 

 the same gentleman, and his flock of Cotswold sheep, those of Mr. 

 Appleton (D. F.), and the promising colts of Messrs. Rogers, Grif- 

 fin, Balch, Martin, Gardner, attested public spirit and private enter- 

 prise in these departments, and the united testimony of the habi- 

 tues of the society's exhibitions was that at this one there was the 

 best show of horses, cows and sheep within their memory. The 

 horticultural hall was the only place at which an entrance fee was 

 charged ; and accustomed as we are in our part of the State to 

 exact the last penny from the most juvenile aspirant before he can 

 enter even the gi'ounds of the society, it was really refreshing to 

 behold the cattle-shows free to all comers, yet " still the wonder 

 grew " how this society could be in such a.floui-ishing condition on 

 the slight returns from the fruit and vegetable visitors and the an- 

 nual dues of members. When inquiry is made as to this anoma- 

 lous condition of things, the url)ane i)resident refers to the " Tread- 

 well Farm " owned by the society, and valued at seven thousand 



