APPENDIX. xxvii 



3,000 lbs. E. J. Combs, of Russell, had some fine heifers. Joseph 

 Cross and Clark Haley had each a pair of fine workers. There 

 were two Durham bulls on the ground, very good animals, one 

 belonging to E. W. Boise. The second day was the show of 

 horses, which was very good. A fine stock horse was exhibited by 

 F. C. Knox, a Black Hawk stallion by F. T. More, of Tolland, and 

 some fine colts by C. O. Perkins, Becket. 



Having no hall, they erected a tent on the ground, which was a 

 frail building for a rainy day. The show of butter and cheese was 

 very good. The show of fruit was not large. Some fine specimens 

 of ap{)les were noticed. The exhibition of needle-work bore wit- 

 ness of the industry and skill of the ladies. 



In the organization and management of this young society, with 

 due deference to its present able officers, I venture to suggest some 

 alterations. First, the procuring a suitable building for a hall, to 

 be erected on the grounds. This, however, I understand, is in a 

 fair way of being accomplished. Second, let the show of cattle 

 and the address occupy the first day, and the show of horses and 

 the public dinner the second. I say public dinner, for this setting 

 down at leisure at the same board is one of the strongest ties of 

 social intei-course, and in order to make the influence of the hour 

 what it should be, let woman grace the festive occasion with her 

 presence. Let me assure the good people of Blandford, if they 

 will adopt this jilan of a public dinner on the afternoon of the last 

 day of the fair, with some pleasant speeches at the close, it will 

 tend much to increase the interest in the occasion, as well as help 

 to strengthen the tie of brotherhood which ought always to exist 

 among the members of an agricultural society. A third suggestion 

 is a greater division of labor in the management of fairs. I think 

 the society should have a large committee besides its present board 

 of officers. This committee should be composed of working men, 

 selected from, difierent parts of the society, whose duty it shall be 

 to use their influence in getting the farmers out with what they 

 have to show, while on fiiir days, each should have his department 

 assigned him, and make it his special duty to attend to all its 

 details. 



In closing this Report, I would express my gratitude for the kind 

 and hospitable manner in which I was received by the officers of 

 the society, and especially my thanks are due to the family where 

 I found such a pleasant and cheerful home. 



John A. Morton. 



