xii REPORTS OF DELEGATES. 



The grounds of the society are located on Summer Street, one 

 and one-third miles from the railroad station in Fitchburg, and con- 

 tain about thirtv-three acres. Near the grounds are two beautiful 

 groves and a pond, which, if not already " spotted " and visited by 

 parties of pleasure, soon will be among the attractions of Fitchburg. 

 The society duiing the past year has erected a substantial building 

 for their exhibitions and other purposes connected with the interests 

 of agriculture. This building is constructed of wood, two stories 

 high, 50 by 100 feet ; the lower floor is devoted to the exhibition 

 of fruit, flowers, vegetables, and manufactures. I noticed that 

 notwithstanding the good size of this building, that most of the 

 bulky implements of husbandry had to remain outside of the house; 

 but I am informed that soon an addition of at least fifty feet will 

 be made. The upper floor is divided into oflices, a kitchen and 

 dining hall ; the latter of sufficient size to seat four hundred per- 

 sons, with tables built for the pui-pose, well adopted for the use 

 designed. The trustees' room is well and suitably famished with 

 chaii-s, settees, and tables ; its accommodations are worthy of com- 

 mendation and imitation, as every society needs a peraaanent place 

 for meetings to transact their yearly business. The society has also 

 erected over two hundred excellent sheds, costing #1,400, for the 

 shelter and accommodation of cattle and horses ; about one hundred 

 of these sheds are on the west side of the grounds, and used for 

 cattle, sheep and swine ; also twenty-five double sheds (making 

 fifty) near the centre of the field, mostly filled with cows and young 

 stock. On the south side of the gi-ounds are thirty-five sheds or 

 stalls for horses, with barn for fodder and wells of water. We also 

 noticed suitable scales for weighing. "We think these buildinss, in 

 afibrding security and comfort for the animals, are not surpassed, if 

 equalled, by any other society in the State. 



In regard to the financial condition of the society, it has boiTowed 

 $7,000 to defray the expense of the buildings. It has assets in 

 real estate, $16,000, and personal at least $500, besides about 1600 

 in cash for necessary expenses. 



The fair may be considered in everj' respect a success. The 

 attendance was large, and the receipts quite satisfactory. 



It strikes me as uncalled for on my part to attempt to give a de- 

 tailed account of the various blood and grades of cattle, pedigree of 

 horses and other animals on exhibition, inasmuch as your Board gets 

 a full report from the society ; and will only remark that there were 

 present, about 68 cows, 20 bulls, 29 heifers, 46 calves, 31 sheep, 5 

 gwine, a few fowl, town team from Leominster containing 21, and 

 also from Sterling with 18 yoke of cattle. The display of draught 



