xxviii REPORTS OF DELEGATES, 



annual cattle show of the Hampden Agricultural Society was held 

 on the grounds of the Hampden Park, October 6, 1869. My visit 

 was unexpected, but in the absence of the regular appointee, Hon. 

 Mr. Davis, of Plymouth, my services as i-eporter were requested by 

 Mr. Birnie, of the Board, and the efficient and worthy secretary of 

 the society, J. N". Bagg, who has served the Society in that capacity 

 for ten years in succession, and was re-elected at the annual meet- 

 ing of the Society. 



It was hoped by the friends of the Society that the annual 

 October exhibition might be a success, the Society having offered 

 11,500 in premiums. But the attendance was not large, nor was it 

 difficult to assign the reason. The great flood of October 4th de- 

 tracted from everything, agricultural fliirs in particular. No one 

 was responsible. If water had been the only element necessary 

 to carry a show, it would have been a siiccess. 



Mr. Wm. Birnie was on the ground with his fine herd of Ayr- 

 shires, the best in the State, furnishing his owti pens, and refusing 

 a premium. Mr. Alden Warner exhibited his herd of Herefords, 

 which added much to the show. Longmeadow took the first pre- 

 mium on town teams, among which were the well trained steers of 

 Messrs. Converse and Pease. Mr. A. Webber exhibited the best 

 pair of oxen on the ground, weighing 4,340 pounds. 



The show of milch cows was not large, but very creditable. 



But few horses were on exhibition ; a few pairs of work and some 

 fine saddle horses, and several nice colts. 



The show of fruits, vegetables and the nicer things of art, of 

 which there was a fiiir display, was removed from the City Hall to 

 under the grand stand on the grounds. 



The exhibition of agricultural implements was not large. Schenck's 

 potato digger Avould have been on the ground but for the flood. 



This Society has the most valuable park or fair ground of any 

 in the State, and its members possess thoroughbred stock of the 

 different breeds sufficient, with a little more zeal, to make one of 

 the best shows in Western Massachusetts. 



Agricultural fairs do much to overcome the growing unwilling- 

 ness of the New England youth to engage in farming. The in- 

 crease of fairs is a positive advantage ; a stimulus to agriculture, 

 besides affording an innocent amusement to all. The State has 

 long understood this, and hence the pecuniary aid and encourage- 

 ment she has extended to every society in the State. 



In the various combinations of wood and iron which are em- 

 ployed in agriculture a great improvement has been made, yet a 

 farmer must use his brains as well as his muscles. 



