146 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



the reverse. What can any person expect by crossing a Jersey 

 on to an Ayrshii'e ? 



Fine animals are got by In-eeding the Jerseys or the Ayr- 

 sliires upon our larger varieties of cattle ; and probably these 

 crosses will be of more value to the people at large than the 

 pure blooded animals, which rule too high prices to become 

 generally owned. Great judgment, therefore, should be exer- 

 cised in crossing, to grade, not degrade. 



Decidedly the finest part of this show was Motley's herd of 

 some twenty-five Jerseys — undoubtedly the finest herd of that 

 blood in this country, if not in the world. His cows, espe- 

 cially, cannot be surpassed. Mr. Hunnewell and Mr, Andrews 

 also showed superior Jersey stock. 



Of pure Ayrshires there were but few ; a bull of Mr. Draper, 

 and a heifer of Mr. Capen were noticeable. Of native stock 

 and grades there were many — some very good. Two very fine 

 cows, grade Jersey, famous for their milk, were exhibited by 

 the able president, Hon. M. P. Wilder. 



There were some capital swine, made up of different breeds ; 

 and the show of poultry was also remarkably good. 



The sheep were not many in number, but very good. I 

 believe that the Oxford Downs, of Mr. Motley, are not sur- 

 passed as a breed by any sheep in this country. 



The display in the hall belonging to the society was in most 

 departments excellent, particularly of fruits and flowers. Hon. 

 M. P. Wilder exhibited over one hundred varieties of pears. 

 A large entry of superior vegetables was also made. 



At twelve o'clock, on Wednesday, the large church was well 

 filled, when after a few well-timed remarks by the president, 

 the address was delivered by J. S. Eldridge, Esq., of Canton — 

 ornate, elaborate, and well delivered. I ought not to omit 

 mention of a very graceful hymn sung before the address, 

 written by Rev. C. C. Sewall, of Medfield. From the church 

 we returned to the large upper hall in the society's building, 

 where, instead of the usual dinner provided for the society, was 

 a simple collation for the invited guests. The main part of the 

 hall was occupied by the ladies of the various towns of the 

 county, for a fair, the proceeds of which were to be devoted to 

 payment of the society's debt — a most praiseworthy purpose, 

 and which, judging from the hungry hundreds present, and the 



