132 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



though highly fashionable, hour of three o'clock, P. M. Upon 

 the whole, the exhibition of the Worcester South Society left 

 upon my mind very pleasant impressions in all respects except 

 that of punctuality, and the hours passed in the pleasant family 

 of the president, Hon. 0. C. Felton, will ever be among the 

 bright spots upon which my memory loves to dwell. 



John C. Bartlett. 



HAMPSHIRE, FRANKLIN AND HAMPDEN. 



Your delegate to the Hampshire, Franklin and Hampden 

 Agricultural Society, being its fortieth anniversary, held at 

 Northampton, October 13 and 14, 1858, would beg leave to re- 

 port : That he has attended to that service as well as the weather 

 would permit. The first day it rained hard nearly all day. The 

 grounds, which are finely adapted for show grounds, were like 

 a wet sponge; but notwithstanding the rain, the president, Col. 

 Edwards, accompanied by his secretary, were on the grounds 

 attending to their duties with as much care as though the sun 

 was out. I have never witnessed more fine, well-matched oxen, 

 at one exhibition, than at this show ; the owners or keepers were 

 in attendance with a just pride of their charge. The Messrs. 

 Lathrops, of Hadlcy, were out in all the rain in attendance on 

 their fine short-horns. Had the day been pleasant the show 

 would have been larger, and the cattle would have appeared to 

 more advantage, and the company would have been more 

 numerous. Horses, swine and sheep all appeared well. In fact, 

 this society has much to encourage it in its labor ; the scenery 

 is delightful, the town beautifully situated, and the lands are 

 very fertile. 



At the hall there was a fine exhibition of fruits and vegetables, 

 and many things to amuse and instruct visitors. 



The address by Dr. Loring, of Salem, was calculated to stimu- 

 late the farmers to renewed action and to a just estimation of 

 the high position they fill. At the dinner table the hall was 

 crowded by ladies and gentlemen, who listened to the remarks 

 of the governor and other speakers, and more so then the ladies 



