viii APPENDIX. 



appears better thus, than any amount of rubbing can make it. There 

 was a grand show of pears, yet no Bartletts, owing to the lateness of 

 the season. Duchess, at a pound each, were plenty. Our Lowell 

 friends succeed in the productidfi of pears in their gardens, protected by 

 high fences and walls of buildings, trees planted in soil made fat and 

 mellow two to four feet deep. 



The exhibition of grapes was the finest and most extensive ever 

 known there. 



There were peaches, too, of remarkable size and beauty, which 

 make us feel a weakness for them. 



That portion of the exhibition hall devoted to household manufac- 

 tures, fancy articles, &c., was literally crammed, mainly brought in on 

 the afternoon of the 28th. 



There were a goodly number of ladies present, some with bedraggled 

 skirts, but their ardor in no respect dampened. We discussed the din- 

 ner at one o'clock, when every inch of room was occupied b|- ladies 

 and gentlemen. 



John A. Goodwin, postmaster of Lowell, delivered a spicy address in 

 the dining hall, followed by others, and some of the others were decid- 

 edly long, for after-dinner speeches. We advise orators, in preparing 

 dinner-table speeches, to use much shortening, and more spice. 



In concluding, let me assure you the Middlese;? North Society is in 

 a thriving condition. A very rainy day will occasionally occur, and for 

 the time put a damper on the proceedings, but no society can claim 

 exemption from such occurrences. The officers of the society ai'C all 

 practical men, and intelligent, not in the habit of being frightened by 

 rain or snow. Men who have successfully pursued their business pri- 

 vately, will, when associated for a mutual purpose, recognize no such 

 word as fail. 



Asa Clemekt. 



MIDDLESEX SOUTH. 



As delegate from the State Board of Agriculture, I attended the 

 eleventh annual exhibition of the Middlesex South Agricultural Society, 

 held at Framingham, on the 20th and 21st days of September. All 

 objects and articles for exliibition were arranged on the forenoon of the 

 first day. Committees to view on the afternoon of same day. All arti- 

 cles to remain during the second day. Ploughing match on the morn- 

 ing of the second day ; after which, trial of speed, and draft of horses 

 and draft of oxen. Dinner served in upper hall at one o'clock. After 



