xxxvi REPORTS OF DELEGATES. 



Your delegate does not suppose that the Massachusetts State 

 Board of Agriculture sent him to Hingham to exercise that dis- 

 crimination, at the fair of that society, that might be required of 

 him who was to award a premium in dollars and cents, or to recom- 

 mend a gold medal, to him whose stock should excel, but rather to 

 give a general outline history of the doings of the day ; yet I may 

 be allowed to say that if any one wishes a pure-blood animal, either 

 of cattle, or sheep, or swine, the president of that society can 

 accommodate him, as also can other members of the society. 



The grounds of the society are ample — sufficient for all necessary 

 purposes of the society. It is a very desirable spot for the use to 

 which it has been put. There is sufficient variety of soil to enable 

 the society to perfonn their ploughing and mowing on their own 

 pi-emises. An eminence being about midway of the grounds, affords 

 a standing-place for hundreds, if not for thousands, of spectators, 

 where they may remain in quiet and view all that goes on around 

 them. 



Being allowed a place on the judges' stand, — not for the purpose 

 of forming an opinion that should affect the opinion of any other 

 man, — one of the most beautiful sights of the day was that of per- 

 haps a thousand people, men, women and children, standing and 

 sitting upon that elevated spot, with none to molest or make them 

 afraid. 



On the one-third mile track which is on the society's grounds 

 were exhibited some well-matched horses, driven by their owners ; 

 also some single teams, which it will be difficult to excel either in 

 general appearance or elegance in style. This track is by no means 

 a race-course. The pure-minded people of Hingham and its vicinity 

 detest gambling in all its fonns. Thinking that the card-table, the 

 cock-fight and the horse-race form a trio to be disapproved in its 

 parts, as well as in the whole, they do not allow the one nor the 

 other to disgi-ace the track nor corrupt the morals of the society 

 that formed it. 



To this fact, in part, may be attributed the order — the most 

 perfect order — that prevailed during the two days of exhibition. 

 Distinguished gentlemen and fashionable ladies could promenade 

 on those rounds without fear of insult from that class of men who 

 usually accompany the race-horse when he is to be put upon the 

 track. This society, in the opinion of your delegate, has adopted 

 the right course in regard to the horse and his service. May other 

 societies profit by the example. 



Weston, the far-famed pedestrian, first witnessed the exhibition 

 in its varied parts, and then put himself on exhibition ; but without 



