240 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



New England. Grapes were exhibited in great variety and pro- 

 fusion ; there were tempting chisters of Delaware, Concord, 

 Diana, and Hartford Prolific, with an unusually fine display of 

 the Isabella. Doctor Beals, of Greenfield, made a splendid 

 show of house grapes from his cold-grapery. The vines had 

 been under cultivation but three years ; the fruit was of extra 

 size and quality. 



A large and elegant collection of flowers graced the platform 

 at the upper end of the hall, among which were many beautiful 

 and tastefully arranged bouquets. 



Of domestic manufactures, there was a large collection of 

 useful articles ; including home-made carpeting, flannels, 

 stocking-yarn, and counterpanes ; of the ornamental, there 

 were exquisite embroideries in silk and worsted, and other 

 needle-work in endless variety, also many specimens of paint- 

 ing and drawing with which the Avails were adorned. 



In the mechanical department, a collection of ploughs of 

 excellent design and finish were exhibited by the manufacturers, 

 Messrs. Smith & Field, of Greenfield; hay-cutters, root-slicers, 

 and other labor saving machines, were also noticed. 



The whole exhibition proved one of the best ever held by the 

 society. It was a success too, pecuniarily, the receipts having 

 been large, and the general expressions of satisfaction heard on 

 all sides as the crowd dispersed at the close of the exhibition, 

 was a guarantee that the society was accomplishing to a great 

 extent, the objects for which it was instituted, in bringing the 

 farmers of the district together in generous competition, en- 

 couraging improvement in stock, and progress in every thing 

 relating to the farm. 



It was a cause of regret that only the farmers of the immedi- 

 ate vicinity, (with very few exceptions,) were contributors to 

 this show. Many of the -more distant towns within the limits 

 of the society were entirely unrepresented. If all societies 

 ■would offer mileage on stock driven from a distance, it would 

 serve to equalize the advantages of the exhibition, and it is to 

 be hoped that those living at a distance would not wilfully 

 throw away the benefits and rewards olfered, on account of the 

 trouble and inconvenience of attending. The lack of interest 

 on tlie part of those remote from the place of exhibition, has 

 become a serious evil in many parts of the State, and affords 



