xii REPORTS OF DELEGATES. 



torn, filled with round stones, requiring a stead}' nerve and consider- 

 able skill to keep the plough in line. The work was well done con- 

 sidering, and a true test of workmanship. My attention was given 

 more particularly to the boj's' department, or I should say the .young 

 men, for they performed their work man-fashion. Marsh, of Sutton, 

 twelve years of age, with Telegraph plough. No. 2 ; Bought}', of 

 Charlton, eleven years of age, Nourse 73^ plough ; McKinstr}', of 

 Southbridge, 15 3-ears, plough Eagle 73^-. It was a sight worth a 

 journe}' of a hundred miles, and it is no wonder that the fathers 

 and grandfathers were there to witness their triumph. 



The exhibition of working-oxen and steers was the best I have 

 ever witnessed ; there were several town teams and several superior 

 fat cattle on exhibition. The show of dairy-cows was not so exten- 

 sive as I had expected from the beautiful farms passed on my way 

 to the grounds. And if I should express m}' opinion as to the 

 cause, I should give it as the fault of the Societ}', rather than that of 

 the farmers. I sympathize fully with the Society in their anxiety to 

 free themselves from debt. Still I think it false econom}- not to pro- 

 vide food for the stock while on the grounds. It is not always con- 

 venient or possible for the owners to bring their own fodder, and to 

 drive cattle eight or ten miles and let them stand all day without 

 food or shelter, and then drive them home again at night, might 

 reasonably be construed* as " cruelty to animals," and for dairy- 

 cows especially it would be ruinous. In all kindness I would saj', 

 gentlemen, provide good food for the stock and shelter if possible, 

 and you will find your interest in it ; the farmers then will bring 

 their best stock, and thousands will come to see them, and }-our 

 profits will soon pa}^ your debt. There were fine herds of Ayr- 

 shires, and good specimens of the Durham and Devon and their 

 grades, and a promising show of 3'oung stock ; of sheep, swine and 

 poultry, but few were on exhibition. 



The exhibition in the hall was commendable ; the ladies' depart- 

 ment was well filled with fine specimens of their handiwork. The 

 photographic art was well illustrated, and some of the pictures were 

 finished in the highest style of the art. There were handsome light 

 carriages and harnesses, clothing, boots and shoes, and a thousand 

 other articles worthy of notice. Flowers in almost every variety. 

 The show of fruits and vegetables was not what we might expect ; 

 there were fine specimens of both, that showed their soil capable of 

 producing both fruits and vegetables of the highest class under good 

 cultivation. The butter and cheese and the domestic bread looked 

 good enough to eat, and was rather tempting to a man who took an 

 early breakfast and then rode eighteen miles in the countr}' air. Fort- 

 unatel}- the "dinner-horn" sounded just at this moment, and your 



