xlviii REPORTS OF DELEGATES. 



being taken by the person'who had taken the same at several past 

 exhibitions. I ■would suggest to the farmers of the society, that 

 they in future seek a little harder for the honors of this department 

 of the show, or else " throw up the sponge," and accept the present 

 winner as the chamj^ion ploughman of the island. Next in order 

 of the day came the colts, mostly of the Messenger stock, the get 

 of the stallion Hiram Morton, purchased in Maine, and owned by 

 Hiram Smith. They all appeared well, and if properly cared for I 

 have no doubt will make good farm horses. The farm and driv- 

 ing horses were shown off the society's grounds, on the track owned 

 by the Hon. H. L. Whiting, a total in number of tliirty-five (35) ; 

 am pleased to report there was no racing, all tlic horses l)eing 

 shown at their natural motion. This being the actual closing of the 

 fair, I wondered if the third day could be well sustained, but to 

 my surprise, in spite of the rain and wind, at an early hour the 

 crowd began to gather, to view the hall, and in the P. M., to hea:r 

 the true closing feature of the show, the annual address, by the 

 able agricultural orator, Dr. Geo. B. Loring, who was, as ever, inter- 

 esting and instructive, and was throughout listened to with the 

 closest attention. 



From all I saw on the island, from the statement of the com 

 crops, etc., raised here, — one acre of com raised the past ^ason, by 

 Mr. Geo. D. Cottle, the yield estimated by a portion weighed, was 

 one hundred and twenty-seven and one-seventh (1271) bushels, fifty 

 loads of manure only being applied, all ploughed under, — and from 

 the high tone of morals that prcvades the entire community (for in 

 the three days' mingling among the people I did not hear a jirofane 

 word), intoxicating liquors, or persons intoxicated not being seen, 

 and I was informed that liquor could not be purchased on the 

 island, as it were starving out Major Jones and his assistants ; and 

 after acknowledging the courtesy and hospitality extended me by 

 the ofllccrs of the society, and many others, especially the kind 

 family under whose roof I found so good a home, will only say, 

 that in my estimation Martha in this vineyard made a good choice. 



E. W. Boise. 



