REPORTS OF DELEGATES. 289 



the trials of speed, (none of wliicli were very frightful,) I went 

 into the fine brick hall of the society, which was well filled 

 with fruit, vegetables, grain, manufactured and fancy articles, 

 and products of the dairy. 



The fruit consisted mostly of apples, which were very fine, 

 and in very great abundance and variety. There were a few 

 good looking pears and peaches. 



The vegetables were not in great abundance, but were of 

 good quality. 



Some very good samples of wheat and flour were there. 



The butter and cheese were in great quantities, and prob- 

 ably were of good quality ; but of this I cannot speak from 

 knowledge, as the committee were at their work, and had a 

 guard to keep off all interlopers ; and from the distance at 

 which I was permitted to look on, I could not tell whether the 

 quality was good or bad. 



At one o'clock, P. M., a good dinner was provided at the 

 Central Hotel, and at two o'clock, instead of an address, a dis- 

 cussion was held at the church for two hours, of four ques- 

 tions, viz. : on the culture of wheat in Massachusetts ; on the 

 culture of root crops ; the encouragement for fruit culture ; 

 and the propriety of bringing cattle to the next show. There 

 was a good attendance, and the discussions were interesting and 

 useful, and would have been much more so, had there been 

 sufficient time for each question. 



At four o'clock the discussions closed for the reading of the 

 reports. The day had been cloudy, showing strong signs of 

 rain, and by this time it fell in profusion, dispersing the people 

 to their homes, and greatly interfering with the arrangements 

 which had been made for an evening entertainment at the 

 hall. 



The show was as good as could be expected imder all of the 

 unfavorable cirumstances attending it. 



I am indebted to the president of the society. Doctor Fiske 

 and his good wife, and others, for kind attentions. 



E. W. Gardner. 



