APPENDIX. xxxix 



wholly re-imburses the owner for the trouble and expenses incident 

 to exhibition. 



With the larger showing this s^'stem induces, the influence of the 

 Society is enhanced, and extended to quarters where it is most 

 needed. Those who receive the lowest premiums in a class are 

 likely to be the most benefited by showing. Persons receiving the 

 first prize are generally better informed in advance than others as 

 to what constitutes a good article. 



I abstain from remark upon the second and third da3'S of the fes- 

 tival, further than to sa}-, that I learn the weather was propitious, 

 the attendance good, and the occasion was spoken of as a success. 



Joseph N. Sturtevant. 



NORFOLK. 



"When appointed as delegate to the Norfolk Society, being aware 

 that it was one of the oldest in the State, and contained within its 

 limits some of the most distinguished and successful pomologists as 

 well as agriculturists in the State or the world, we shrank from the 

 duty, and would have preferred that one better qualified to represent 

 the Board and do justice to the Society might have been selected. 

 But when we entered their grounds, on one of the loveliest of our 

 autumnal da3's, — although we were impressed with the extent of 

 their preparations, their capacious grounds, their trotting-park, suffi- 

 ciently ample to satisfy even the critical taste of a devotee of the 

 speed and beauty of the horse, — the cordial greeting we received 

 from the officers of the Societ}^, particularly from the delegate to 

 this Board, who anticipated our every want, entirel}- dispelled all 

 personal considerations, and we thought only of the grand exhibition 

 of the Norfolk Agricultural Society. Fearing we were occupying 

 too much of the time of our good friend. Col. Stone, we suggested 

 that we might be taking him from other duties. He replied, " It is 

 mj^ dut}" to devote all m}^ time to you and the guests of the Societ}'. 

 I am appointed for that special purpose." "We deem this an arrange- 

 ment eminently fit to be made, and other societies would do well to 

 follow the example. 



The officers of a society at its annual fair are necessarily so occu- 

 pied with their respective duties that they have little time to devote 

 to invited guests. 



It were a difficult task to describe the different departments of the 

 exhibition, and discriminate in regard to the comparative excellence 

 of each. 



