xiv APPENDIX. 



them, is very marked. As this is the first work to be performed in the 

 cultivation of the soil, it is necessary to do this pax't of the work in such 

 a manner as to render the cultivation comparatively easy during the 

 whole season after. Perhaps there is no greater improvement in any 

 of our agricultural implements, than in the plough and he who will not 

 avail himself of these improvements must put the more strength to 

 cultivating his fields, during the whole year. 



Next in order was the trial of working oxen in managing a loaded 

 cart, by drawing and backing. I noticed here that each load was in 

 proportion to the weight of the oxen, one-third more than their weight 

 being added to the load. This was readily done by having blocks of 

 stone, with the weight marked upon them, so that the load could be 

 arranged by adding to, or taking from, as the case required. This I 

 consider the most equal way of testing working oxen, the heavy ones 

 having no advantage over the lighter ones. 



The exhibition of draft horses must have been very satisfactory. I 

 could not but feel that the horse is very likely to be undervalued. Such 

 strength exhibited, such perfect obedience to the will of his master, it 

 seems almost cruel that they should be taxed to the utmost of their 

 strength. What we wish to see is their thorough training and obedience 

 to the will of the master, and to manage a reasonable load. 



An interesting feature of the show, and one that drew the crowd, and 

 attracted, perhaps, more attention than any other, was two town teams, 

 one of twenty-six yoke of oxen, from Fitchburg, the other one, of 

 eighteen yoke of oxen, from Leominster. They were headed by the 

 cornet band from "Winchendon, and marched around the common to the 

 step of music. Although the Fitchburg team had eight yoke more than 

 the Leominster team, still the latter were able to di-aAv the most, for 

 while the former drew only ten dollars, the latter, with ease, drew 

 twenty-five. This is an interesting feature of any show, and I am 

 surprised that more towns do not collect and exhibit their Avorking oxen 

 at our " fairs " as town teams, as well as upon the cart, or plough. 



At the pens, there was a very good show of animals, although the 

 number was not as large as at some of our shows. There were twenty- 

 seven head of pure-blood cattle. There were Durhams, Devons, 

 Alderneys and Ayrshires. There were thirty-one milch cows ; twenty- 

 three heifers and heifer calves ; eighteen two and three year old steers ; 

 fourteen yearling steers and calves ; and twenty-five fat cattle on exhi- 

 bition. Breeding-mares and colts were numerous. I noticed some very 

 fine colts. Sheep and swine were not numerous. 



At half past one o'clock, members of the society, and others, repaired 

 to the Fitchburg hotel, and partook of a bountiful repast, prepared by 

 its proprietor. Col. Day, after which there was a call for assembling 



