xxxii REPORTS OF DELEGATES. 



The ploughing match took place on the afternoon of the first day. 

 The larger part of the work was done with horses, and I should 

 judge, from the small number of oxen on exhibition, that larm- 

 work in that vicinity was to a great extent done with horses. 

 This is a very important part of the preparation for successful 

 cultivation. If good ploughs are not used, and the work of 

 ploughing well done, the labor of cultivation is greatly increased. 



The show of stock was said to be far in advance of former years. 

 There were nearly two hundred animals on the ground, mostly 

 cows and herds of cattle. Although this is not so great a dairy 

 section as the interior and western part of the State, still there 

 were many fine cows to be seen. Among them were Ayi'shires, 

 Durhams, Jerseys, and what seemed to be a distinct breed called 

 the Jamestown, These were of large size, and without horns. I 

 should judge that Norfolk County gives but very little attention to 

 sheep husbandry, as there was but one lot on the ground, and those 

 not of remarkable quality, although the exhibitor took two pre- 

 miums, one of five and one of ten dollars. 



In the department of swine the show was also quite small. I 

 noticed a few of the Chester County breed that were very fine. If 

 the interest manifested at the fair is a fair index of what is done 

 with sheep and swine in Norfolk County, there is little danger of 

 our markets being overstocked with wool, mutton or pork fi-om 

 that section. 



The exhibition of horses was very fine. I noticed several owned 

 by Col. Russell, of West Roxbury, that attracted much attention. 



Particular interest is manifested in the social part of the enter- 

 tainment. A large procession of gentlemen and ladies was formed 

 and marched to the hall, where a bountiful repast was provided. 

 After doing ample justice to the bounties upon the table, Col. 

 Wilder, the president, made a brief speech, in which he congratu- 

 lated them upon their former as well as present success, and, after 

 thanking the members of the society for keeping him so long at its 

 head, requested them to excuse him from his responsible position, 

 and elect some one else as their standard-bearer. But, from the 

 feeling manifested, I think it would be hard for him to get the 

 harness off. 



The regular address was delivered by James W. Thompson, of 

 Jamaica Plain, upon topics connected with agriculture, which was 

 listened to with marked attention ; after which others followed with 

 shorter speeches, rendering the exercise highly satisfiictory. My 

 visit was rendered particularly pleasant by the kind attentions of 

 the officers and others while at Dedham. 



Newton S. Hubbard. 



