APPENDIX. xliii 



five liundred entered the spacious liall and partook of a sumptuous 

 dinner, after Avhicli there were speeches by the President of the 

 Society, Hon. Albert Fearing, His Excellency Governor Claflin, 

 Governor Stearns, of New Hampshire, Hon. Thomas Russell, Hon. 

 Oliver Warner, Colonel "Wilder and others. Also, there was a 

 poem by Rev. E. P. Dyer, of Shrewsbury. 



After dinner and the intellectual feast in the hall, your delegate 

 left with many pleasant recollections of his vist in Hingham and the 

 kind attentions of the president and other officers of the society, 

 and feeling that this society is doing much to promote the interests 

 of agriculture in this section of the State. 



X. S. Hubbard. 



MARSHFIELD. 



As delegate from the State Board of Agriculture I attended the 

 annual exhibition of this society held at Marshfield October 6th, 

 7th and 8th. The weather the first day was very unfavorable and. 

 the attendance was not large, but this was more than made up on 

 the 7th which was the principal day of the exhibition. With a 

 full knowledge of what the season had been I went down to Marsh- 

 field not expecting to find a very good exhibition, but in some 

 departments I was happily disappointed. The show of stock in 

 the pens was not large, but some of the animals were good. The 

 swine were not largely represented. There were some fine fowls, 

 including some splendid geese ; of horses and colts we saw but few. 

 The ploughing match attracted a good deal of attention, though the- 

 weather was not favorable. The ground ploughed was light, alaiost 

 sandy with but a tender sward, and not altogether a good jjlace to 

 show the best results, however skilful the guiding hand might be. 

 The work was creditably performed. There was what is called 

 the "town team," embracing 112 yoke of oxen, that woiild do 

 credit to any owners, in any town or county. The great attraction 

 to many was within the Avails of the fine building, of which this 

 society is the fortunate owner. Of apples, pears and other fruits 

 there was a large and fine display, one that would do credit to 

 older societies. 



The display of vegetables was extensive and very fine, fully 

 equal in some respects to any Ave saAV the past season. The 

 squashes and sAveet potatoes attracted, much attention from their 

 superior size and excellence. 



In the department of jellies and preserves, there Avas a large and 



