216 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



WORCESTER SOUTH. 



The annual Exhibition and Market Fair of the "Worcester 

 South Agricultural Society were held on the 3d and 4tli days 

 of October, at Sturbridge. The weather was delightful ; and, 

 with the exception of a more limited display of fruit and a less 

 number of town teams than usual, tlie exhibition was the most 

 successful ever held by the society. 



The attendance on the first day was large, probably twice as 

 large as at any former show of the society. 



The pens — 40 in number — were filled with cattle, horses, 

 sheep and swine, of a character by no means inferior to any in 

 the county, if we except, perhaps, the Durham cattle of some 

 parts in regard to size. 



There were entered for premiums 8 working oxen, 7 steers, 

 5 herds of cattle, 14 cows and heifers, 14 bulls and 3 fat cattle. 

 These were mostly Durham, Devon and Ayrshire grades, but 

 there were several very fine thoroughbred bulls, cows and 

 heifers, especially of the Ayrsliire breed. 



Of sheep there were 13 entries for prizes, of swine 14, of 

 poultry 10, all rare specimens of their kind. It hazards noth- 

 ing to say that the swine cannot be surpassed in the State. 



Tlie ploughing match was nobly contested by 15 competitors, 

 with 11 ox and 4 horse teams, upon a soil well suited to test 

 the power of the teams and the skill of the ploughmen. It was 

 a stiff and rather close soil, ploughed 7 inches deep and in a 

 masterly manner. 



There were 15 competitors for the prizes offered for drawing 

 and backing with oxen and steers on the cart. The load for 

 oxen was 3,000 lbs., for steers 1,000 lbs. The trial took place 

 on an elevation lying at an angle of about 15 degrees. The 

 work was well done, and in a quiet and orderly manner. 



It is sometimes painful to witness, at the trials of the powers 

 of working oxen, the constant and cruel application of the whip ; 

 but it is due to the teamsters on this occasion to say, that their 

 teams appeared to do all they were capable of doing without an 

 imduc application of that instrument of torture. 



The society's hall never before presented a scene so grand 

 and beautiful. The walls were decorated with a profusion of 

 flowers ; with the numerous articles, both useful and orna- 



