APPENDIX. xxiii 



HAMPSHIRE, FRANIO^IN AND HAMPDEN. 



The fifty-second annual cattle show of the Hampshire, Franklin 

 and Hampden Agricultural Society was held at Northampton, on 

 Thursday and Friday, October 6th and 7th. The weather on the 

 morning of the first day was cold and uninviting, yet the grounds 

 were thronged with people at an early hour, comparing their own 

 stock and products, on exhibition, with that of their neighbors and 

 competitors. 



The collection of neat stock on this occasion cannot easily be for- 

 gotten by your delegate, as I regard it the best I have ever wit- 

 nessed at any local exhibition in the Commonwealth. 



Mr. Chairman, I do not intend to particularize individual stock, 

 as I have in some instances in former reports, because if I did I 

 should be guilty of great injustice if I did not mention the name of 

 every owner of neat stock on the ground. 



Allow me simply to say, that from the specimens of Shorthorns, 

 Ayrshires and Jerseys, presented for exhibition, we must regard the 

 exhibitors as men of rare taste and judgment ; comprehending fully 

 the laws and principles of breeding. 



The stock presented by the Massachusetts Agricultural College, 

 compared well with that of any other on exhibition, and showed that 

 the farmer, Mr. Dillon, had given it good care and proper attention. 



The exhibition of sheep and swine was very commendable. Some 

 very fine specimens of fowls were presented. 



The show of draught horses, breeding mares and carriage horses, 

 was large, and represented by good specimens of each kind. The 

 show in the hall was truly a magnificent display of all the usual 

 varieties on similar occasions. Hon. Richard Goodman of Lenox 

 gave the annual address, subject — " Cattle Husbandry;" which was 

 listened to by a large and intelligent audience. 



Remarks were made by other gentlemen, when Colonel Clark, 

 president of the Massachusetts Agricultural College, was called for ; 

 and it affords me great pleasure to record the marked favor with which 

 he was received upon the platform by the audience, showing clearly 

 that he is one of the favorite sons of the Connecticut Valley. The 

 second day was a bright, genial day, devoted entirely to the show of 

 horses. 



The concourse of people was larger than the day previous ; still 

 good order and propriety were preserved throughout the day. The 

 bounty which this society receives from the State, is in my judg- 

 ment judiciously expended, and pays a good return. 



