APPENDIX. xlv 



We look forward in anticipation of most beneficial and happy- 

 results to the people of Marshfield and surrounding towns arising 

 from their agricultural and horticultural exhibitions. 



To the officers of the society, John H. Bourne, and others, our 

 acknowledgments are due, and most cheerfully tendered, for cour- 

 teous attentions during our visit at the fair. 



Asa Clement. 



BARNSTABLE. 



We had the pleasure of attending the annual fair of this society 

 in Barnstable, Tuesday and Wednesday, October 13th and 14th. 

 We have a little Cape Cod blood flowing in our veins, and felt not 

 a little interest in visiting the home of our maternal ancestors, and 

 noticing the condition of agriculture and the state of society in the 

 oldest portion of the State. A traveller in the cars over the fine 

 plains of the Cape may wonder where the inhabitants get their 

 bread and butter, for the land does not look as though it could raise 

 breadstuff's or support a cow. A companion in the cars remarked, 

 " I should hate to own all this land and pay taxes ujion it ; " and 

 again," The Cape Coders must live upon fish, salt, and cranberry 

 sauce." We had been in the region before, and knew from experi- 

 ence that there were no better livers, nor a more hospitable people 

 in any part of the country. The land is indeed poor, but skill and 

 industry are sure of making a living anywhere. The weather on 

 the first day of the exhibition was all that could be desired, and 

 the show of stock, though not equal to that in some other parts of 

 the State, was still very creditable. Jersey cattle are apparently 

 the favorites on the Cape, probably from the fact that their little 

 bodies do not require much forage, an article not quite so abundant 

 here as in the Connecticut Valley. Mr. Francis Bacon exhibited a 

 superior bull, two cows, two heifers, and several calves of this 

 breed. Mr. Bacon was also a large contributor in nearly every de- 

 partment, and did much to make the lair a success ; oj^ening the 

 doors of his mansion in elegant hospitality to the old and substan- 

 tial farmers of the county. If our car friend could have seen his 

 table he Avould have altei-ed his opinion about the inhabitants of the 

 Cape living upon fish and salt. Mr. Bacon well illustrates the pro- 

 pensity of the inhabitants of the Cape to remain upon the old home- 

 stead, as he repi-esents the ninth generation that has occupied the 

 Bacon farm, 



Stephen Smith, of Barnstable, was also a large contributor to the 



