256 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



stimulated by a profitable market afforded by the large manu- 

 facturing towns. There were fifty entries of horses and colts, 

 and their appearance evidently manifested that some attention 

 had been shown in the breed of the equine race. 



Of sheep and swine there were forty-nine entries ; of the 

 former only a few specimens, and not worthy of remark ; of the 

 latter, there was a large number of the cross of the Suffolk and 

 Mackay, which, although not large, appeared as if they could 

 be easily and cheaply fattened. 



The feathered tribe was numerously represented, in size and 

 variety. Of butter and cheese there were eighteen entries ; 

 the former was neatly exhibited in stone jars. Specimens of 

 needle and fancy work were numerous and neat. The plough- 

 ing-match took place on the first day ; thirteen yoke of single 

 teams and six of three-cattle teams — steers and horses — com- 

 peting for the premiums. The work was creditably performed, 

 mostly without drivers and with the double Michigan plough, 

 which I thought rather too heavy for the teams, but when they 

 warmed up they drew their burden with more ease. The 

 exhibition of fruit was not remarkable, the apples being very 

 inferior in appearance ; a variety of specimens of the pear 

 appeared better; the grapes, however, both native and foreign, 

 looked well, and a single dish of peaches, from the garden of 

 Dr. Durfee, seemed to have attained their full growth. 



On the second day more than four hundred persons seated 

 themselves at a substantial repast, at which Mr. Daggett, the 

 president of the society, made a congratulatory address, and 

 some of the ministers of the town and vicinity made short and 

 pithy remarks, after which a synopsis of the reports of the com- 

 mittees was read, when the company adjourned to witness a 

 horse race which claimed their undivided attention. 



Taking into consideration the number of people present 

 within the enclosure, estimated at from three to four thousand, 

 it is worthy of remark, and I make it with pleasure, that I did 

 not witness a single instance of disorder or intemperance. My 

 thanks are due to the Hon. John Daggett, the president, the 

 board of managers, and other gentlemen, for their kind greet- 

 ings and attentions. 



Charles B. Allen. 



