MASS. BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 475 



in the Crystal Palace, at London. Here, for the first time, I 

 saw a complete display of the apparatus used in the whale 

 fishery, by the aid of which so many millions are annually 

 added to the resources of the Commonwealth. Herein, we see 

 an illustration of Yankee ingenuity and perseverance ; what it 

 cannot raise from rugged rocks and sandy plains, it will not 

 fail to command from the depths of the ocean. So true is it, 

 where the spirit of freedom prevails, man fails not to go ahead. 



In the halls was to be seen a large variety of the products of 

 the dairy, in the form of butter and cheese, of superior quality. 

 Where the feed grew that produced such fine products, is 

 better known to those familiar with the county, than to 

 those who have observed it only upon the line of their rail- 

 roads. The tables also were loaded with an abundance of the 

 various kinds of fruits, from many of the farming towns, and 

 particularly from the splendid gardens of New Bedford. And 

 what is worthy of all praise, these fruits were offered, on con- 

 dition that they should be used at the dinner-table, so that all 

 might taste, as well as see, the quality of the fruits. This 

 being done, and the facility of growing them being explained, 

 at the same time, to be in the power of every proprietor of the 

 soil, the consequence will be, that many of these proprietors 

 will, ere long, grow a sufficiency of such luxuries for their own 

 consumption. 



The formal address, the usual accompaniment of our county 

 agricultural exhibitions, was wanting on this occasion. But its 

 place was well supplied by appropriate remarks from his excel- 

 lency the Governor of the Commonwealth, and other gentle- 

 men of distinction present. Nevertheless, it is well to have 

 an annual address at these exhibitions. It gives opportunity for 

 a display of talent and a condensation of information, which, 

 when distributed among the farmers, in connection with the 

 reports of committees, is instrumental of much good. If other 

 counties of the Commonwealth, in proportion to their natural 

 advantages, would do as well as Bristol has done, they would 

 have no cause to be ashamed of their condition. 



JOHN W. PROCTOR. 



