xlviii REPOKTS OF DELEGATES. 



PLYMOUTH. 



The annual exhibition of the Pl3'mouth County Society wus held 

 at Bridgewater, on the 17th, 18th and 19th of September. 



The first two days were very pleasant. I was there early on the 

 morning of the first day, and received a hearty welcome from the 

 president, Charles G. Davis, who immediately accompanied me to 

 the grounds of the ploughing-match. The surface of the different 

 lots was rather uneven, and the sod rather tender, but the result 

 showed that most of them did their work well. I think the ploughing- 

 match should not be omitted at any of our fairs. 



Next came the trial of working-oxen. There was a good show of 

 working-oxen, some very nice pairs, well broken, and with intelli- 

 gent and humane drivers ; no loud talking or whipping. 



Next came the trial of walking-oxen ; six entries were made, each 

 pair to walk half a mile. The quickest time made, was by animals 

 owned b}^ N. M. Sampson ; time, six minutes and a half. 1 wish 

 this feature might be taken up by other societies, for I think they 

 would find it interesting and profitable. 



The display of animals in the pens was large and varied. There 

 were 366 head of cattle, swine, sheep and horses, not including cattle 

 entered for labor. Superintendent Leonard, of the state workhouse 

 at Bridgewater, made a splendid show of Jerseys and Ayrshires ; 

 also fine herds were shown by Samuel W. Bates, of Bridgewater, 

 and Harris Staples, of Lakeville. The latter exhibited a Jersey 

 heifer, which produced a calf at the early age of fourteen months. 



I think I have never seen a better show of milch-cows than was 

 exhibited at this fair ; there were fift3'-seven entries. The Jerse3'S 

 and Ayrshires seemed to be the leading breeds of this county, 

 though the former were more numerous than the latter. 



The show of fat cattle was small, and not ver^^ creditable to the 

 Societ}'. 



Of sheep, the Ha}' ward Brothers, of Bridgewater, presented as 

 fine a lot of Cotswolds as I have ever seen in the State ; also some 

 fine Southdowns were shown by George Bump, of Middleborough. 

 The Berkshires seemed to take the lead in swine ; a fine displa}' was 

 made by Haj'ward Brothers. 



A fine place has been fitted up for the show of poultr}', which is 

 highly commendable to the Society, and well worth}" of imitation by 

 other societies. There were seventy-five coops in all. 



The poorest show in any department was in breeding-mares, colts 

 and stallions ; but few entries were made, and ver}' few worth}' of 

 note. 



