APPENDIX. xxxiii 



the owner said he harvested 75 bushels to the acre, — the soil on 

 which they were raised was no better, and as easily cultivated as 

 any other kind. Different varieties and fine samples of potatoes 

 and other vegetables were on exhibition. 



I was much pleased with what I am able to credit to the formers' 

 wives and daughters as one of the best featui'es of the hall, it being 

 in good keeping and eminently appro23riate to a farmers' show, in 

 contrast with what has become very common at fairs, viz. : a great 

 display of imported dry goods, &c., from the merchant's shop. I 

 noticed a good assortment of prime, knit-by-hand woollen mittens, 

 gloves and stockings, and many other things useful and necessary 

 for the farmer and his boys ; abundant evidence was also given that 

 the girls understand how to manufacture such baits as they deem 

 policy, to accompany their own personal attractions. 



Considerable time was taken in testing the strength of cattle by 

 drawing a loaded dray ; or, perhaps, it would accord nearer with 

 the fict to say, to see which would win the prize. 



Were I to comment on this part of the exhibition, I could not do 

 so witli that degree of approbation that I should desire ; I consider 

 that meritorious which will develop the good training of the oxen 

 and the skill of the driver, with but little whipping or noise. 



The second day was the show of horses; but, as I was not 

 present, I can make no report from observation ; I am informed, 

 however, that the exhibition was very respectable for that region. 



The address of Col. Stone of Dedham, is spoken of as being an 

 able one, and added much to the enjoyment of the last hours of the 

 second day. 



I received the polite attention of the officers and others of the 

 Society, for which I thank them. 



Chas. C. Bassett. 



FRANKLIN. 



The twentieth annual exhibition of the Franklin County Ao-ri- 

 cultural Society occurred at Greenfield on Thursday and Friday, 

 September 30 and October 1, and was in every respect a credit to 

 the farmers, mechanics and manufacturers of this small, but fertile 

 and enterprising county. Both days were beautiful, and after the 

 fogs of the morning were dispelled, the sun shone without interrup- 

 tion on crowds of fair women and brave men, and the largest and best 

 herds of cattle that we have ever known collected at a county fair. 

 There were fourteen herds which numbered in the aggregate three 



