474 MASS. BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



The first peculiarity was, the occupation of two days. On 

 the first day, all animals and articles were presented and ar- 

 ranged for the examination by committees. The society met 

 in the afternoon, and attended to the usual business of the 

 annual meeting. Everything went on with order and pro- 

 priety. The only thing in the arrangements, that occurred to 

 be amended, was, that no provision was made for keeping the 

 animals on the ground, over night. This seemed to be very 

 desirable, as most of the visitors to the show were expected on 

 the second day ; and as a loss of a view of the animals pre- 

 sented, would materially detract from the interest of the show. 



On the second day, operations commenced with much activi- 

 ty, on the ploughing field, there being thirty-six teams actually 

 engaged. Among these were teams of two pairs of oxen, one 

 pair of oxen, one pair of oxen and a horse, and one pair of 

 horses. It was particularly gratifying to witness this variety 

 of teams, for, so long as teams of these several descriptions 

 continue to be employed by good farmers, it seems highly 

 proper to give each of them a chance in the competition. It 

 was pleasing to find every variety of plough, as well as of 

 team ; and, as a whole, I do not remember to have seen a 

 ploughing match, — and I have seen many, — that was carried 

 through in a manner more instructive. Without knowing the 

 opinion of the committees, my own impression of the best per- 

 formance on the field, was a lot in the extreme eastern part of 

 the field, ploughed by a span of horses, attached to a Michigan 

 sod and subsoil plough, and guided by the ploughman himself. 

 Rarely is seen, work more -thoroughly or expeditiously done. 

 This plough may be commended to the notice of all those 

 farmers, who are desirous of pulverizing their soil thoroughly, 

 in the least time. 



Next came the trial of working oxen, in the usual manner. 

 It appeared to be well conducted, but not witnessing it through, 

 I forbear to enlarge upon it. 



In the hall for manufactures, fruits, and other articles, was a 

 highly gratifying display. The workshops of Taunton and 

 New Bedford, here exhibited almost every variety of mechanic 

 industry, many of which would have shown to advantage, even 



