xliv REPORTS OF DELEGATES. 



At about half past twelve o'clock a procession was formed and 

 marched to the dining hall to partake of a most bountiful repast. 

 After prayer was offered and dinner served, the president made a 

 very fine address of welcome and congratulation. Your delegate 

 would acknowledge the kind attentions of the president and officers 

 of the Society. John Johnsgisf, Jr. 



Framingham, January 26, 1870. 



MARSIIFIELD. 



As delegate from this Board, I attended the Marshfield Agricul- 

 tural Society's Exhibition held on the 7th, 8th and 9th of October, 

 1869. The first day was devoted mostly to the reception and ar- 

 ranging of stock on the grounds, and the various articles in the 

 hall and basement of what is to be a nice building for exhibition 

 and dining jDurposes, and for jDublic speaking. The ploughing 

 match was in the forenoon (1st day). In the afternoon the trial 

 of oxen on draft, was very good. The exhibition in the hall was 

 good, although very much more room would have shown them at 

 a better advantage. There was a large collection of apples, com- 

 pared with other societies, and the crop of this season. Pears, 

 peaches, grapes and other fruits were excellent. The vegetables 

 were large and the potatoes splendid. Corn and other grains that 

 were on exhibition would compare favorably with any other part 

 of the State. There were mowing machines, horse rakes, and 

 hay -tedders, Avagons for business, and pleasure, and a variety of other 

 implements for the farmer and others that are very useful. 



The second day the crowd of people was larger than the first; 

 the exhibition of town teams was one of the best that I have ever 

 seen, — one hundred and forty yoke of oxen nearly enclosing the 

 half mile track, nearly all good size and well matched. The cows 

 were not large in size nor in number, as the formers understand in 

 that section that the soil is better adapted to a medium size and 

 hardy stock, as the Shorthorn do not thrive as well there. Sheep 

 and swine but few entered; the fat hogs were large and nice. 

 There was one large and nice flock of geese, thirty-sjx, including 

 the mother, that attracted much attention. Other fowls that Avere 

 good were on exhibition. The Society's dinners were provided on 

 the second and third days in a large tent, and well filled. 



After dinner, speeches by the president of the society, clergy, 

 and members from other agricultural societies, the speaker en- 

 gaged for the occasion not being present. 



