REPORTS OF DELEGATES. 2G1 



NANTUCKET. 



The annual exhibition of this society was held on the tenth 

 and eleventh days of October, and attended by me as delegate 

 of this Board. 



The area over which the limits of this society extend is so 

 small and of such peculiar character, that the annual exhibitions 

 must be marked by fewer variations than are usually observed 

 elsewhere. Therefore, after the full and able reports of the 

 gentlemen who have preceded me here as delegates of the 

 Board, there remains but little to be offered, either in the 

 way of description or of suggestion.. In justice, however, 

 to the society, — struggling with difficulties which cannot be 

 measured by any who have not had the like to encounter 

 and overcome, — and in justice to my own feelings, I can- 

 not omit to say that the exhibition, as a whole, was attrac- 

 tive and creditable. Preparations for it, demanding an expense 

 of much time and labor, had been completed. The arrange- 

 ments on the show-grounds and in the hall were well designed, 

 and in all respects suitable. Good order and general quiet 

 prevailed, and a lively interest in the purpose and object of the 

 occasion was manifest throughout the mass of the people. The 

 weather, during most of the time, was extremely uncomforta- 

 ble ; — materially affecting, of course, the attendance which had 

 been anticipated, and, indeed, the whole character of the out- 

 door exhibition. The ravages of the army-worm, and the 

 general blight of fruit trees, — felt more keenly here, perhaps, 

 because of the limited cultivation on the island, — tended to 

 detract from the extent and beauty of the show. 



We observed upon the grounds a goodly collection of neat 

 cattle, — particularly of young stock; — horses, swine, sheep, 

 and poultry ; and the examination of these several depart- 

 ments was conducted in a way that might well be imitated by 

 other societies ; only the committees and your delegate being 

 allowed to remain within a prescribed distance around the 

 premises, during the examination. There were, also, trials 

 of speed, iu trotting ; of skill, in ploughing ; and of strength, 

 in drawing ; all of which were well performed, but exhibited 

 no decided marks of superiority. 



