REPORTS OF DELEGATES. 279 



MIDDLESEX NORTH. 



The exhibition of the Middlesex North Agricultural Society- 

 took place at Lowell on the day fixed by law, and in most 

 particulars, it was a perfect success. 



It would be difficult, I think, to collect in any part of the 

 State, a larger or richer display of fruits and vegetables than 

 that which loaded the tables in the large exhibition hall in the 

 Society's building, although the tempestuous weather of the 

 day preceding the show, prevented contributors from conveying 

 their specimens to the hall at the time required by the rules of 

 the society, in consequence of which a little less promptness 

 than usual was apparent in carrying out the different parts of 

 the programme, as the work of reception and arranging the 

 articles for exhibition, usually performed during the day pre- 

 ceding that on which the grounds are opened for the public, 

 was crowded into a few hours in the morning. The exhibition 

 of stock was small, as owners from a distance, who are obliged 

 to drive their cattle to the pens during the night, were prevented 

 by the storm from any attempt to perform an act which would 

 have been cruel to the animals and unprofitable to their owners. 

 During the past year the society has erected a model building 

 for its purposes, which for convenience and size is not excelled 

 by any in the State. It is built in the form of a cross, two 

 stories in height, well lighted with gas, and contains in one of 

 its wings a well-finished tenement, occupied by the superin- 

 tendent of the grounds. The society's dinner was served in 

 the upper hall, which afforded abundant room for the large 

 company drawn together by the high reputation of the orator 

 of the day, ex-governor Banks, who after the dinner fixed the 

 close attention of his auditors for a long period, by an able 

 address. 



The absence of any delegate from the Board of Agriculture 

 was regretted, as the society would have been glad of any 

 suggestions by which its exhibition could be improved. 



Upon the whole the occasion was more successful than any 

 of its predecessors, and the society will soon be one of the 

 strongest in the State. 



John C. Bautlett. 



