APPENDIX. xlix 



There were a number of pairs of handsome matched-horses, also 

 of family-horses ; on the whole the show was commendable. The 

 display in the hall was very good, excepting in fruit, of which there 

 has been a meagre show through the State, unless it be with the 

 Franklin Count}^ fair, at Greenfield, where there was the best 

 display ever seen in that hall. The show of vegetables was not 

 large, but very good. 



The grounds of the Society are better adapted to the purposes 

 for which they are devoted, than any I have seen in the State. 

 The}'- contain more than sixty acres, for the most part of an undu- 

 lating surface, with plent}' of shade-trees, good running water ; the 

 hall overlooks the whole. Last, but not least, the officers under- 

 stand how to get up a good show, to make it interesting and profit- 

 able. One thing I learned, the people were generally interested in 

 their annual fair, and but very little money is paid for bringing con- 

 tributions to the fair. I came awaj", feeling sure that the Society is 

 doing a good work. 



Elnathan Graves. 



MARSHFIELD. 



The seventh annual exhibition of the Marshfield Agricultural and 

 Horticultural Society, was held at the Society's grounds, Oct. 1st, 

 2d and 3d. 



The weather that makes or mars our fairs to a greater or less 

 extent, was during the three days of the exhibition delightfully 

 pleasant. Nature, seemingly in sympathy and unison with the fes- 

 tive occasion, had donned one of her brightest and gayest autumnal 

 robes in honor of the farmers' holiday. People with teams and by 

 rail, came pouring in, in almost unaccountable numbers, until during 

 the second day, when, by estimation, nearly eight thousand were 

 present ; and some of the originators of the farmers' club, from which 

 the Society was cradled, expressed themselves as " perfectlj^ satis- 

 fied." It was even more than a realization of their most visionary 

 expectations. 



This Society is laboring verj^ systematically and successfully in 

 extending its influence, and its prospects seem more than ever flat- 

 tering. It has a fine locality, an attractive and commodious hall 

 and ample grounds, which are annually being improved ; and with 

 such continued zeal and good management as is shown by its pres- 

 ent Board of officers, we think will soon become leviathan in strength, 

 stepping into the front ranks among its sister societies, as it has 

 already won an enviable position in many respects among the agri- 

 culturists of the State. 

 7 



