MASS. BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 683 



The exhibition of fruits was good. Of these, there were 

 234 entries. In vegetables, of which there were 306 entries, 

 the Hampden Society outdid anything I have witnessed other- 

 where. And as was to be expected, the department of the 

 mechanic arts was nobly represented. At the show of horses, 

 which took place on the morning of the second day, 85 horses, 

 mostly carriage and draft horses, were exhibited. Many of 

 them were fine animals ; were well trained, and evinced an 

 advanced stage of improvement in this branch of rural 

 economy. 



The dinner, at Washington Hall, was well " got up," and 

 well " put down ;" after which, a very earnest and interesting 

 Address was delivered by Wm. S. King, Esq., of the Journal 

 of Agriculture on " The Application of Mind to the Cultiva- 

 tion of the Earth." Ex- Governor Briggs followed Mr. King, 

 in his usually happy style ; and the company then adjourned. 



The gathering was uncommonly large. The utmost good 

 order prevailed throughout. Whether it was owing to the 

 vigilance of the city government, or to the general good char- 

 acter of the multitudes assembled, or, what is more probable, 

 to both, I know not, but for some reason, there was manifested 

 a sobriety, an abstinence from intemperance, profanity and 

 every species of rudeness, which struck me as eminently wor- 

 thy of remark. Too much praise cannot be given to the presi- 

 dent of the society, Thos. J. Shepard, to its other officers, and 

 to citizens of Springfield generally, for their successful efforts 

 to make a good time for the assembled thousands. 



J. A. NASH. 



MR. PAGE'S REPORT. 



EXHIBITION OF THE FRANKLIN SOCIETY. 



I suppose that the main object of this Board in appointing 

 delegates to attend the exhibitions of the several agricultural 

 societies, is, to ascertain their actual condition. I shall there- 

 fore confine myself to a plain statement of such facts as came 

 under my observation, adding such remarks as may occur to me. 



