xliv REPORTS OF DELEGATES. 



advances were much retarded by the immense blockading squadron 

 collected in proximity with the exhibition. We finally reached the 

 desired locality without serious accident. 



There was a ti'ack within the inclosure, and numerous were the 

 colts exercised thereon, but no racing proi:)erly so called. We had 

 before seen what people termed string teams, consisting of fifteen 

 to thirty yokes of oxen, but never before saw one hundred and 

 seven pairs of oxen in one string. Why, a few more would have 

 closed up the gap in the half mile track. None of the cattle could 

 be regarded as remarkable for size, and few of them for beauty or 

 the amount of fat covering the muscles, yet, in the main, they were 

 good, substantial working oxen. 



The exhibitors, we judged, were nearly all of them practical 

 farmers, who maintain families directly from the pi'oducts of their 

 own labor on the soil — men Avho have the substance of things hoped 

 for, but whose greenbacks are not so plenty that the surplus may 

 be expended as fancy alone shall dictate. 



Every iiian, woman and child seemed desirous of helping along 

 the exhibition, No disposition was manifested to reach the ground 

 by climbing fences, or by mining, such as we have witnessed in 

 another locality. So orderly was the assembled multitude that the 

 State Constables had only to move round and enjoy themselves 

 with others, 



Now for the results of such an exhibition. 



1st. The society cleared, after paying all expenses, |1,250. 



2d. That sum has encouraged the members to proceed with 

 measures for securing a larger exhibition hall, of which they greatly 

 stand in need. 



3d. The people have enjoyed two days of relaxation from toil, 

 and been improved in their social feelings. 



4th. A spirit of generous emulation was aroused in the minds of 

 contributors, which will cause them to put forth greater exertion in 

 the line of improvement. 



5th. Thousands withdrew from the Marshfield Fair near the close 

 of the 2d day of October, 1868, with this idea fastened permanently 

 and indelibly in their minds ; viz., formers' fairs, cattle shows, are 

 institutions which should not be overlooked or neglected, because the 

 temptations to vice are kept in abeyance, or, rather, not permitted 

 to approach, while the better feelings of our natures are stimulated 

 to more activity in a direction which cannot be otherwise than 

 improving. 



