384 NORFOLK SOCIETY. 



plements, to put forth all their skill in the invention of new 

 implements and machines, whereby the industry of the laborer 

 is rendered more productive and more easy. Information upon 

 agricultural subjects is sought with greater avidity, and books 

 and papers are more widely circulated and more extensively 

 read. These are some of the proofs that the bounty of the 

 Commonwealth bestowed for the encouragement of agricul- 

 tural societies, has not been wasted, and that the societies 

 themselves are fuliilling the designs for which they were estab- 

 lished. 



For the first time in the history of the society, two days 

 were this year devoted to the annual exhibition — the first, to 

 the reception of the articles intended for premium and the 

 examination of the judges, and the second, to the public dis- 

 play and the usual intellectual exercises. This arrangement 

 gave general satisfaction, in affording the means for a more 

 thorough examination of articles presented for premium, and 

 also in affording to the numerous judges an opportunity to 

 witness the general display, and of partaking in the ceremo- 

 nies of the show. 



A larger number of teams than usual participated in the 

 ploughing match, which afforded a most animating and agree- 

 able scene, and the spading match — a new feature — excited 

 a lively interest, and attracted a numerous throng of specta- 

 tors. To what extent spade-husbandry can profitably be 

 adopted in this country, we are not prepared to state ; but 

 when we consider that this system of preparing the soil for 

 the seed is the height of good cultivation, it may not be im- 

 proper to call the attention of the public to this operation. 



The exhibition of stock was equal or superior to former 

 years, and although the blood-stock owned by the Massachu- 

 setts Society for the Promotion of Agriculture, which was 

 exhibited last year, was withheld, its place was filled by other 

 contributions, sufficient to sustain the reputation and honor of 

 the society. 



The number of horses on exhibition, was larger than at any 

 former show. In this department a decided improvement has 

 taken place, and judging from what has been done within the 

 last two years, we may confidently anticipate that these efforts 

 will not only prove of pecuniary advantage to those engaged 



