APPENDIX. xxi 



. shown the shuttles used in olden time in connection with the hand-loom, 

 with the various patterns used with the different improved power-looms 

 of the present day. While viewing them, my thoughts ran back forty 

 years, to the time when I was required to sit by the "quill-wheel" and 

 wind quills for my aged grandmother, which she used in just such a 

 shuttle as one of the samples before me. "What memories revived at 

 the sight of that old shuttle ! But we cannot stop to relate them here. 



Benjamin H. Franklin, of Southbridge, had on exhibition a machine 

 for boring in corners where a common auger or bit could not be used. 

 Said machine could be adjusted at will, so as to bore at any desirable 

 angle, and must be very useful. By the same, a steel ten-foot pole, in 

 four parts, which could, with facility, be converted into a^ walking stick. 

 A rather curious and, we should judge, convenient contrivance. Mr. 

 Franklin had several other machines and tools of his own manufacture, 

 which evinced skill and ingenuity on the part of the designer. 



The handiwork of the ladies was not shown on so extensive a scale 

 as we have witnessed elsewhere, yet what fancy articles and household 

 manufactures there were, bespoke taste and judgment on the part of the 

 contributors to that department. 



Mr. Haines, secretary of the society, and the harness-maker of the 

 village, presented some fine specimens of his handicraft. 



There was a superior display of vegetables, in almost endless variety, 

 George S. Allen, of Brimfield, showing three squashes upon one vine, 

 the aggregate weight of which Avas 268 pounds. We hope no one 

 will feel encouraged by this notice to attempt the production of mam- 

 moth squashes, for they are worthless, except as food for stock, and for 

 that purpose other vegetable products ai-e more easily raised, besides 

 being better. For culinary purposes, the turban, marrow and Hubbard 

 squashes exhibited Avere of the right stamp. In our experience, we 

 have found the Hubbard squash more hardy and less liable to be 

 destroyed by bugs than the marrow ; but in dry, hot weather, like that 

 with which we were visited last summer, it requires much attention to 

 save squash vines from the ravages of the striped bug, and last, though 

 not least, the larger pumpkin bug, commoi^y so called. This latter 

 has the poAver, Avlien disturbed, of emitting a strong odor of national- 

 ity, or rather of individuality ; for the moment you pinch one, the flavor 

 is unmistakable. A little air-slacked lime sprinkled over the plants and 

 on the under side of the leaves, just enough to give them a white coating, 

 is the best ai'ticle to drive off the striped bug, and Avholesale slaughter 

 the only effectual remedy for the black marauder. 



There was a very respectable display of fruit. Peaches, grapes and 

 pears, however, were rather scarce. Apples abundant, and fine specimens. 

 D. R. Taylor, of Warren, showed a plate of what he termed the Golden 



