456 MASS. BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



yoke from South Hadley, 25 from Hadley, and 25 from East 

 Hampton. 



With regard to the arrangement of the cattle pens, the plan 

 here adopted has decided advantages; not that it is peculiar to 

 this society, but it is worthy of note in connection with the 

 arrangements for a cattle show. The pens are placed in paral- 

 lel lines, a couple or more rods apart, and the space between is 

 kept clear, in the first place, for the admission of the animals 

 entered for the show, and, in the second place, for the commit- 

 tees, officers of the society and invited guests, that they may 

 conveniently exar^ine the animals. The masses of spectators 

 have the outside space for their free use and occupation. In 

 such an arrangement, the proper course would be, in labelling 

 the pens with the description of the animals, and the names of 

 their owners, to affix similar labels on both sides of the pens, 

 so that all may have the necessary information. Where cattle 

 pens are arranged in a single line — as is not unfrequently the 

 practice — it is with great difficulty that the committees and 

 those who wish most to examine the merits of the animals, 

 are able to effect their object. 



On the second day, it was the privilege of your delegate to 

 witness a fine show of horses, such as only the western socie- 

 ties in the State are able to present. Nearly 100 specimens of 

 this noble animal, which Lawrence, in his Treatise on the 

 Horse, says, next to a beautiful woman is the most beautiful 

 animal in creation, were here assembled as competitors for the 

 awards of excellence. Assembled, not in pens crowded and 

 confined, but, as they passed under the inspection of tlie com- 

 mittee, trotted out between the long lines of spectators, who, 

 equally with the committee, had a full and fair view of their 

 gait and action, as well as of their different points of merit. 

 An illustration was here furnished of the advantage of the ser- 

 vices of the military forces at these exhibitions. By their aid, 

 the lines of the spectators were kept in their proper places, so 

 as to give ample space for the equestrian evolutions. In gen- 

 eral, however, the presence of the military on these occasions 

 is, in the view of your delegate, entirely incongruous. As the 

 day is the farmer's holiday, devoted to the arts of peace — to the 



