xxxviii REPORTS OF DELEGATES. 



We bc4icve that the Agricultural Society of Hingham and vicinity 

 is on the right track, and as long as it so continues success will 

 attend its eiForts. Thomas W. Ward. 



BRISTOL. 



The three fair days of the Bristol County Agi'icultural Society, 

 for the year 1868, seemed devoted to amusement by nearly the 

 entii'e community, giving your delegate a very enlarged idea of 

 what may constitute a farmers' holiday. 



This being the forty-fifth anniversary, and the largest, and the 

 most successful fair ever held by the society, and witnessing the 

 extinction also of their entire debt, with a property on hand of the 

 net value of thirty thousand dollars, might well be an occasion of 

 rejoicing. 



The grounds on the second day were visited by twenty thousand 

 people, and the receipts for the three days of the fair were eight 

 thousand five hundred dollars. Six thousand five hundred dollars 

 have been donated to the society in sums varying fi-om one to 

 over five hundred dollars each ; and twenty-five hundred dollars 

 are acknowledged in the last year's account as donations. The 

 society has voted, to the individuals making these donations, especial 

 privileges and the honors of the society. 



A few facts and figures, giving a general idea of the manner of 

 cattle show at Taunton, must sufiice, rather than particulars where 

 so much of excellence abounds. 



Although the average of the cattle was not so large as in some 

 parts of the State, yet there were numbers of large and extra sized 

 animals ; showing what might be done by many more of the farm- 

 ers of this part of the State. Town teams made a prominent part 

 of the exhibition. By actual count there were two hundred and 

 forty-two oxen and steers in one string; they were from four towns, 

 and headed by the Taunton National Band, were driven around 

 the track. 



The ploughing match was a grand display ; twenty-four teams, 

 with as many ploughmen, entered, and contested for the eight 

 prizes. That this noble interest and competition may be fully sus- 

 tained in the future, your delegate would suggest, as did the com- 

 mittee, that more premiums in the future be at their disposal. 



The spacious hall, covering the entire floor of the second story 

 of the society's building, 100 by 150 feet, was fully filled with the 

 products of agriculture and art. Manufactures of cottons, woollens 



