ii REPORTS OF DELEGATES. 



REPORTS OP DELEGATES 



APPOINTED TO VISIT THE 



AGRICULTURAL EXHIBITIONS 



ESSEX. 



The Fifty-Second Annual Exhibition of the Essex Agricultural 

 Society Avas held in the city of Newburyport, on the 28th and 29th 

 days of September. The weather was most propitious, especially 

 the second or great day of the show — one of those brilliant autum- 

 nal days when Nature seems to put on her golden robes, as it were, 

 to grace the farmer's holiday. The exhibition was largely attended, 

 and was worthy of the well-earned reputation of the Society and 

 the intelligent cultivators of Essex soil. This county has but one 

 agricultural society, and has always itinerated in holding its shows, 

 rotating from year to year through the cities and populous towns, 

 thus bringing the exhibitions to all parts of the county. 



Without discussing the comparative benefits of this course, so 

 long and successfully continued by the Essex Society, it is proper 

 to present for our consideration the advantages which are claimed 

 by the friends of this measure ; and first, it is believed that the 

 holding of the exhibitions in diiferent parts of the county excites 

 new enterprise and emulation in these districts, furnishes a better 

 method for the diffusion of industrial art and improved husbandry, 

 and gives to tlie Society many new members from the neighborhood 

 where the shows are held. Secondly, the saving of large invest- 

 ments in grounds, buildings and fences, which are generally unpro- 

 ductive, except at the time of the exhibition. 



The Essex Society, having no permanent grounds, has no horse 

 track, and has always discountenanced horse racing as creating an 

 ovei'shadowing influence and excitement, both of which are consid- 

 ered by a majority of the members of the Society as prejudicial to 

 its best interests, and not legitimately connected with a cattle show. 



