xiv REPORTS OF DELEGATES. 



such an extra beginning it was but natural to expect an extra- 

 OY(\mv^vy fair. 



The weather on the morning of the first day was very fine, and 

 by nine o'clock the grounds of the Society presented a very lively 

 appearance. But, as usual, when so many have a finger in the })ie, 

 it took a long time to get into working order. 



Some departments of stock were well represented, esi^ecially 

 working oxen. Several good pairs were exhibited on a cart loaded 

 with stone. They did credit to themselves and their owners. 



There were some very fine herds of cows, mostly of the grade 

 Durham ; some Ayrshires and a few Jerseys, with quite a number 

 of grade Dutch. 



I saw but one thorox;ghbred bull on the grounds. That was an 

 Ayrshire, and a very good si^ecimen. The others were inferior 

 grades — unworthy to compete for a premium at a fair. 



The show of fat oxen, though limited, was very good. There 

 were some fine steers and young stock. 



The principal object of stock raisers in this section seems to be — 

 not the improvement of the stock — ^but to produce the most milk 

 for the cheese factory, "We think our friends will in the end find 

 this to be a mistake. The ploughing match on the grounds was 

 well conducted, and the work, done mostly by oxen, was well per- 

 formed. 



The sheej) were few, but very good, — a very nice selection of 

 Southdowns. 



Swine were scarce, but of good quality. 



The second day was devoted exclusively to the exhibition of 

 horses. I hardly know whether it belongs to me to report on this 

 day's programme, as I understand it was under the direction of a 

 set of fimcy horse jockeys. How the jDremiums were paid is more 

 than I can tell, but suppose to the satisfiiction of all concerned. 

 The exhibition in some respects was very good. The entry of 

 stallions was small, and the animals of inferior quality. There were 

 a few i:)airs of carriage and draft horses — some very good ones. 



The class of colts from one to four years old was well represented. 

 Some were excellent. One belonging to Mr. Mixter, of Hardwick, 

 tAVo years old, attracted universal admiration. 



I have always advocated the trial of speed at our exhibitions as a 

 means of improvement, but I cannot approve of the extent to which 

 it was carried here, nor the way in which it was managed. I do 

 not believe that such a course is beneficial to the community, or 

 profitable to the society that permits it. 



One part of the programme was very attractive. Three fine 



