REPORTS OF COMMITTEES. 119 



bers, and the relations between them appear to be harmonious 

 in every respect. 



The anniversary appeared also to have that popular apprecia- 

 tion which is necessary tq success. The business meeting was 

 well attended, and its work was done carefully and thoroughly. 



The grounds and hall are much too small for the purposes 

 which they are designed to subserve. Tlie exhibition was 

 necessarily, therefore, crowded, and for that reason, less satis- 

 factory. The display of stock was not so well appreciated, for 

 a like cause. The trial of horses was within so small a space 

 as to impair, to a very great degree, its interest and value. The 

 material of the exhibition, however, — the cattle, horses, swine, 

 implements, vegetables, fruits, and domestic manufactures, — 

 gave great satisfaction to your delegate. 



The dinner, which is one of the most attractive facts of the 

 annual shows, and one to which the farmers and their families 

 look forward with deep interest, was unusually interesting. 

 The address was given at the tables by Ralph Waldo Emerson, 

 and his well established reputation as a writer and thinker was 

 fully sustained in the department of agricultural philosophy. 

 The discourse will undoubtedly be published. Other addresses 

 were made by the venerable Joseph T. Buckingham, for many 

 years president of the society, by Hon. Joseph Howe, of Halifax, 

 N. S., E. P. Whipple, Esq., and others. 



On the whole the day was one of pleasure and profit. My 

 report to the Board is, in short, that the affairs of the society 

 are in the hands of ofiicers who understand their duties, and 

 are conscientious in the discharge of them ; that the farmers of 

 Middlesex are deeply interested in the subject of agricultural 

 education, experiment and progress ; and that the aid given 

 this society by the Commonwealth is well applied, and expended 

 according to the intent of the laws of the State. 



George Marston. 



