xxvi APPENDIX. 



The collection in the hall was excellent, and besides presenting many 

 specimens of careful cultivation on the part of the farmers, also contained 

 much evidence of diligent attention to all the domestic economy of the 

 farm, from the wives and daughters. The butter and cheese on 

 exhibition were unusually good. 



The fair was admirably conducted by the officers of the society. The 

 address was delivered by Hon. Henry F. French, President of the 

 Massachusetts Agricultural College, and was particularly devoted to the 

 existing necessity for practical agricultural education, and the designs 

 of the college in that direction. It was a timely appeal to the intelli- 

 gence of the farmers present, to support and encourage the college 

 in its endeavors after usefulness. Its suggestions were delivered to an 

 attentive and interested audience. 



Geo. B. Loring. 



FRANKLIN. 



I attended the Franklin County Agricultural Exhibition, commencing 

 the 28th of September, as directed by this Board, and submit the 

 following report : 



Franklin County is well known to be divided by the Connecticut 

 River into two portions, very distinct and unequal in their geological 

 characteristics, as well as unequal in territorial limits ; that part east 

 of the Connecticut River having mostly a broken and hilly surface, with 

 a granite soil, and wanting very essentially in those elements of fertility 

 and production so conspicuous in that portion of the county lying west 

 of the river. 



The westerly section of the county is very different in its geological 

 formation, with a rock basis of the " Tertiary period," its soil, when 

 developed, is rich in all those elements which the farmer needs in his 

 pastures and in his tillage land. Therefore, the same application of 

 skill and industry to both sections of the county must always result 

 lai'gely in favor of the farmer whose lands have a rock basis of the mica 

 slate, rather than a granite character. On the former the cattle will 

 have more bone, more muscle and fat, and a more perfectly developed 

 form ; the sheep will have finer wool and a better carcase ; nor will the 

 horse fail to exhibit his share of the benefits of these bounties of nature. 

 But to the farmers comes the monition " to whom much is given, of him 

 much will be required." Nor has the farmer on the granite soil a right 

 to fold liis talents in a napkin, and refuse to sow or reap. The simple 

 but significant maxim that " he who makes two blades of grass grow 

 where but one grew before is a benefactor of mankind," has a special 



