1858.] SENATE— No. 4. 271 



SufTolk and Mackay. There were one hundred entries of sheep, 

 and only three on the ground, recently imported by Capt. Bar- 

 stow, who sent them merely for exhibition ; they are full- 

 blooded Liecester, are very fine sheep, and I should think a few 

 such importations would awaken an interest in what is certainly 

 a most ])rofital)le branch of agriculture, raising sheep for mut- 

 ton and lambs ; it affords the quickest returns and the largest 

 profit on the investment, of any agricultural outlay. Capt. 

 Barstow deserves great credit for the introduction of these sheep 

 into the country. 



One of the objects of much interest was a large wagon hung 

 around with various farm products, all of superior quality, and 

 drawn by four yoke of really fine oxen ; this was sent from the 

 Bridgewater State Almshouse, by Capt. L. G. Goodspeed, and 

 was a very expressive voucher of his capabilities as a manager 

 of stock and a cultivator of crops. 



The exhibition hall presented a really splendid assortment of 

 fi'uits, flowers, and vegetables, and was most creditable to the 

 farmer and gardener of the Old Colony ; it would be hard to 

 beat. Bread, butter, cheese, and honey were well displayed 

 and of good quality. The works of women's hands, the domes- 

 tic manufactures, the fancy articles, the needle-work, were 

 numerous and varied. Some specimens were very beautiful, 

 and some indicated more of patient industry than artistic skill ; 

 but the show was large and fine. I was surprised in a county 

 so eminent for various manufactures, not to see more, than 

 half a dozen specimens of the mechanic arts, the most notice- 

 able of which was an organ harmonium, a sweet sounding and 

 powerful instrument. 



The arrangement of the hall was creditable, and the great 

 crowd moved around without confusion, seeing every thing, 

 touching nothing. Several specimens of native wine were exhi- 

 bited, the proper manufacture of which should be encouraged. 

 There was none equal to that made by Mr. Bull from his Con- 

 cord grape, though great things are expected of a very fine 

 native, Perkins seedling. 



The second day opened brightly, and at an early hour crowds 

 had assembled to see the exhibition of colts : following which 

 was the great attraction of the day, the female equestrianism. 

 Seven ladies, each attended by a gentleman, and escorted by the 



