444 MASS. BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



The exhibition of pouhry far surpassed any that I had ever 

 seen. If any of the domestic feathered tribe was unrepresented, 

 I know not what it was. There was a vast congregation of 

 ducks, turkeys, geese, and hens in endless variety, and some 

 that would put to shame old Grimes's hen, of classic memory, 

 if their owners' reports were true. 



At the hall the show was good. The Horticultural Society 

 held its exhibition on the same day, at another place, and I was 

 surprised to find an exhibition of fruits only second to that at 

 Dedham. Articles of use and beauty, of domestic manufacture, 

 seem to be abundant, but, alas ! this crowd and this hurry pre- 

 vent my looking at them as I would ; and the fair matrons and 

 maids who exhibit them, deserve that they should have more 

 time bestowed upon them. Of manufactures not domestic, 

 Essex could make a wonderful show, if she were disposed; but 

 I see very few articles exhibited. 



The ploughing match was well contested. The entries were 

 not numerous, — not above ten or fifteen, I think, — too few 

 surely for that county. How quiet the men are ! how well dis- 

 ciplined their teams ! How beautifully smooth the furrows are 

 turned ! But here is an exception — here is a strange looking 

 furrow ; how came such a bungler to enter the lists ? Ah, ha ! 

 That is the Double Michigan Plough, is it? The president has 

 got hold of it now. Let me watch it. By your leave, sir, I will 

 step on here. How handsomely it turns over that sod and 

 places it in the bottom of the furrow, and then the other share 

 throws six inches of pulverized earth upon it. That must be a 

 great implement. Bravo, Mr. President — the Emperor of China 

 never did such as that. 



A procession was formed and proceeded to the church, with- 

 out music. On cattle show days, men, and women too, are in a 

 state of exaltation. A little more " pomp and circumstance," 

 would be better. A sound and interesting address was deliv- 

 ered, before a large audience, by Rev. Milton P. Braman, of 

 Danvers. After the address, we proceeded to dinner. It was 

 in a large and commodious hall. Some four or five hundred 

 persons at table, and nearly all genuine Essex farmers, is a 

 sight worthy to be seen and never to be forgotten. The occa- 



