MASS. BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 473 



etables — especially the roots — were fully equal to the same 

 products of Roxbury and Brookline. 



But there was one feature of the exhibition which is worthy 

 of special notice, and had I witnessed nothing else, would have 

 fully repaid me for my visit to Bridgewater. I mean the noble 

 display made of the products of the dairy. In this department 

 the industry and skill of the women of the Old Colony were 

 shown to the highest advantage. In no truer way either can 

 the good management of the farmer be tested than by the con- 

 dition of the dairy. If the exhibition of butter and cheese of 

 the Plymouth Society this year, compares with the average 

 annual show, then the native cow of Massachusetts, with huge 

 head, body and horns, is a superior producer, and can be made 

 to turn out butter as generously, and as rich in color and quali- 

 ty, as is brought to us from the green valleys of Vermont. 



The display of ornamental and manufactured articles was 

 very extensive, and many of the specimens of female taste and 

 skill were equal to any I have elsewhere seen. Doubtless 

 much of the success of our agricultural societies is owing to 

 the share taken in the exhibitions by the ladies; and the Old 

 Colony Society is entitled to a full share of credit in this 

 respect. 



The annual address before the society, by our distinguished 

 fellow-citizen, Mr.Teschemacher, was delivered before I reached 

 Bridgewater. High encomiums were passed upon it by several 

 who had the pleasure of listening to it. 



I have to acknowledge the kindness of Hon. Philo Leach 

 and Jacob Perkins, Esq., who accompanied me to the various 

 divisions of the show, and secured to me every facility for 

 deriving pleasure and profit by my visit. 



EDGAR K. WHITAKER. 



Exhibition of the Bristol Society. 



I will briefly state my recollections of the exhibition of this- 

 society, which was held at Taunton on the 9th and 10th days 

 of October last. 

 60 



