APPENDIX. iii 



To compensate for the excitement of the horse track, this Society- 

 has endeavored to make the ploughing match one of the great 

 points of attraction, and in this department it probably surpasses 

 most other societies in the State. The special attention bestowed 

 on ploughing has done much, it is affirmed, to raise the standard of 

 good work, as well with oxen as with horses. One of the most 

 interesting parts of this exhibition in ploughing was the perform- 

 ance by boys, to whom special premiums are awarded, thus training 

 them up in the way they should go, so that when they are old they 

 may not depart from the good custom of their fathers. 



The Ploughing Match. 

 This was held on a beautiful spot, in full view of the ocean. 

 The land was of a sandy loam, free from stones, and very suitable 

 for good ploughing. There were eighteen entries, including those 

 of the boys, which, as usual, attracted great attention. The judges 

 were very assiduous in examination, and the work was handsomely 

 done — some of it scarcely to be surpassed. 



The Stock. 

 The stock on exhibition was not so numerous as on some former 

 exhibitions, but it contained fine specimens of most of the approved 

 breeds. There were, however, over two hundred animals, and 

 among these the milk-white herd of Shorthorns from Major Ben 

 Perley Poore, of Indian Hill Farm, West Newbury, giving proof 

 of the maxim, that in breeding with care " you can breed out the 

 last black feather from the pigeon's wing." The exhibition in the 

 Horticultural Hall was especially fine. There were over 350 plates 

 of pears, 230 of apples, and nearly 200 of grape^, and it is no 

 detraction to state that in the department of apples and grapes, it 

 rivalled the Boston exhibition of 1869. 



There were 20 pairs of oxen and steers, 30 swine, 32 sheep, and 

 20 entries of poultry ; 76 entries of vegetables, 140 of flowers, 33 

 of bread, 280 of manufactures and fancy articles, 10 of butter and 

 cheese, 8 of agricultural implements, 10 of carriages and wagons. 



The vegetable section was superior, and comprised wonderful 

 specimens, which, as usual, are expected from a county so cele- 

 brated for its squashes, onions and other vegetable products. 

 Among these were fine samples of the new seedling potatoes, 

 among which the Early Pose took a prominent stand. The liberal 

 show of flowers, embracing many of the novelties of the day, added 

 beauty and brilliancy to the exhibition. 



