APPENDIX. xxi 



HIGHLAND. 



The thirteenth annual fair of the Highland Agricultural Society- 

 was held on the society's grounds at Mlddlefield, on the 12th and 

 13th of September. Though the weather was unjileasant, and the 

 grounds were wet and uninviting, the farmers and their families 

 apj)eared detennined on making the most of their annual festival. 

 The large display of neat stock for which this society has so long 

 had a reputation, renders their fair as truly a " cattle show " as that 

 of any other in the State. 



The custom prevailing among the fanners of sending up a herd 

 of cattle to the fair, instead of selecting one or two of the best, we 

 think a good one. One is enabled to see at a glance what the 

 stock of a neighborhood really is, instead of viewing specimens 

 of what it should be. A Mr. Wright exhibited a herd of thirty- 

 five head, besides sheep and horses; Mr. M, F. Watkins a herd 

 of twenty, two horses and two hundred and twenty-five sheep. 

 Besides these there were numerous pens containing from ten to 

 twenty head of cattle, of which their owners may well be proud. 

 All the improved breeds were well rej)resented, although the Short- 

 horns and their grades predominated. 



The exhibition in the hall was not lai'ge. The butter and cheese 

 looked very nice, and the maple sugar exhibited by Mr. Abbott, of 

 Chester, — a large cake of which was presented to your delegate, — 

 was unsurpassed in quality by any which we have ever seen. 



The address, which was delivered by Mr. C. L. Flint, wound up 

 the exercises of the fair. It was listened to with marked attention, 

 by an audience who appeared to appreciate its lessons of wisdom 

 and were ready to profit by its advice. 



Before closing this Report, we feel compelled to make a single 

 suggestion. The grounds of this society are located some four or 

 five miles from the railroad, on the summit of a high tract of land, 

 near the small village of Middlefield. In this respect we consider 

 its location peculiarly unfortunate. 



Its distance from the railroad, and a want of any regular line 

 of communication between the road and the fair-grounds, prevent 

 hundreds, if not thousands, from attending the exhibition, who 

 would gladly do so were it in this respect more favorably situated. 

 An agricultural society may exist, but cannot prosper, without 

 " material aid." To secure this, regai'd should be had to its loca- 

 tion. It should be easy of access by rail, and within walking 

 distance of some city or large thriving village. 



Avert P. Slape. 



