254 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



worth, and exhibitors and officers to deport themselves accord- 

 ingly. The principle that " he that soweth bountifully shall 

 reap also bountifully " is fully illustrated. As a consequence 

 no interest is forgotten from the raising of poultry to the 

 minute management of the most extensive farm. Liberal 

 premiums are offered for successful effort in all the multitudi- 

 nous branches of agriculture. Rare and valuable specimens 

 of stock, of products and handicraft are sought out, and their 

 presence at the show secured. Tlie varying tastes, loves and 

 admirations of individuals are remembered, and the object of 

 their love and admiration placed on exhibition that the question- 

 ing curiosity of spectators and learners shall be fully satisfied. 

 The thousands who came thronging into Dedham on the 

 morning of the second day, were apparently imbued with the 

 idea, that there was to be something there worth seeing and 

 learning, and they were bound to make the most of the oppor- 

 tunity. And although the soap peddler and Sambo with his 

 fiddle were both on the ground, yet order, decorum and 

 attention to the legitimate duties of the occasion pervaded the 

 multitude, and I doubt not many a farmer and artisan went 

 from the show to his home a wiser if not a better man. From 

 as careful an examination of the entries as time would permit, 

 I fear that notwithstanding the excellent management of its 

 officers, the usefulness of this society is somewhat curtailed by 

 the common fault of localization ; and tliat Dedham and the 

 adjoining towns within a few miles of the place of exhibition, 

 furnish much too large a proportionate share of the exhibitors ; 

 yet it is in a high state of prosperity, and in a legal and legiti- 

 mate way is accomplishing the great objects of its incorporation. 

 From what I saw (or from what I did not see) I infer that 

 sheep husbandry is sadly neglected in Norfolk County, and that 

 the production of milk attracts more attention than the making 

 of butter and cheese. Also that the raising of stock (cattle and 

 horses) is not one of the chief pursuits of its farmers, and 

 though they admire and possess the excellent of both kinds, 

 they prefer to a great extent to purchase them from abroad. 

 Oxen, I conclude are worked but little, and the sturdy draught 

 horse performs most of the labor on the farm and road. All 

 the numerous branches of yankee manufacture are extensively 

 pursued, and great effort expended in floriculture, horticulture 



