270 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Jan. 



tiful creek, lies a broad, handsome meadow of some ten acres, 

 used for ploug'hing and spading matches, and cattle pens ; the 

 remainder is just rolling enough to be suitable for the required 

 purposes. 



On the highest ground in the inclosure flanked by a beautiful 

 grove stands the hall, a lofty building of two stories, 135 feet 

 long by 65 feet wide, while around the whole is a track suitable 

 for all the purposes of the society. 



I confess to entire astonishment at the immense number of 

 carriages, and the crowds of people present ; the large propor- 

 tion of women present was a gratifying proof of the interest 

 felt by tlie people of the county. 



Tbe first thing was the ploughing match, which was spiritedly 

 contested by twenty-three teams ; the work was well done, 

 some of it in a very superior manner. For the spading there 

 were seven contestants who turned their small patches fast and 

 evenly. Spading when carried deep enough, say two and a 

 half feet as in trenching, is undoubtedly the most effective mode 

 of cultivating, but the high price of labor in this country for- 

 bids it becoming general. 



The trial of working oxen, of which there were thirty entries, 

 proceeded on the hill in front of the hall. The cattle were not 

 large as a general thing, but quick, springy, and exceedingly 

 ■well broken. 



The examination and exhibition of horses, of which there were 

 forty entries, commenced about noon and continued through 

 the day, as usual attracting the crowd. Some very fine horses 

 were shown, and a few sharp travellers were driven round the 

 course, which is not a fast one, in 3.05 to 3.10. 



There were sixteen entries of bulls. I missed the majestic 

 forms of the short-horns, but their places were filled with the 

 beautiful Devons, which I presume are better adapted for that 

 locality, and of which I saw some very good, and others, evi- 

 dently grades which I do not like to sec. Thirty-four entries of 

 bull or heifer calves ; twenty-two entries of yearling heifers and 

 eight yoke of steers gave token of intention to raise some stock 

 instead of letting it all go for veal as has been too much the 

 fault of farmers all over the State ; eighteen entries of fat cattle, 

 most of which would bear feeding for some time. Of the twenty- 

 five entries of swine there were some very good boars and pigs, 



