xl REPORTS OF DELEGATES. 



BRISTOL CENTRAL. 



Agreeably to appointment, I attended the annual cattle show and 

 fair of the Bristol Central Agricultural Society, held at Myrick's on 

 the 17th and 18th of September. 



No one on entering these spacious and beautiful show gi-ounds 

 can fail to be impressed by the substantial and liermanent character 

 of all its appointments. The hall is a symmetrical stone building 

 of ample dimensions, two stories high, and seems admirably adapted 

 to the purpose for which it was designed. 



The show of cattle was not large, but most of the improved 

 breeds were represented by animals that would have attracted atten- 

 tion at any exhibition. The four year old matched grade Shorthorn 

 steers, shown by Jonathan Slade, of Somerset, are seldom equalled. 

 Dr. Durfee and Wm. Slade also contributed sjjlendid animals in 

 this class. The exhibition of working oxen was good, and the 

 arrangements for trying their strength and training were well 

 worthy of imitation ; sufficient space being enclosed to keep back 

 the crowd, and no one admitted within but the judges and drivers. 



SheejD were few, but very good ; we noticed but one lot of South- 

 downs. It is to be regretted that this very useful animal is not 

 more generally kept by the farmers of the State, to the extent at 

 least of supi^lying meat for their own tables. We can personally 

 testify to the great convenience and economy of having constantly 

 on hand a good fat Southdown sheep or lamb for home consump- 

 tion. 



There was a fine exhibition of breeding mares and colts, showing 

 both care and skill in their breeding. The trotters were not for- 

 gotten, and judging from the crowds constantly surrounding the 

 track, they were receiving their full share of attention. 



In the hall there was a fine display of the products of the orchard 

 and garden, as well as of the handiwork of the ladies. We noticed 

 a beautiful sample of white Michigan winter wheat, plump and fair, 

 grown by E. Wing, of New Bedford, with a yield of twenty-five 

 bushels per acre ; also a sample in the straw, by Cook Borden, of 

 Fall River. When wheat of this quality and yield can be profitably 

 grown in Massachusetts, surely we ought not to be so entirely de- 

 pendent on the West for our supply of flour. The exhibition of 

 hot-house grapes, j^eaches, pine-apples, and flowers, contributed by 

 Dr. Durfee, was perfectly splendid. 



The attendance of people was very great, especially on the second 

 day, and seemed to be largely composed of the fanners of the 

 county, who came with their own carriages, bringing their wives 



