REPORTS OF DELEGATES. 297 



in this part of the Connecticut Valley. A similar feeling of 

 disa))pointmcnt attended onr inspection of sheep and swine. 



The |)louglung' match was contested hy only five comjietitors, 

 on tlic first day, ploughing with oxen ; and by only seven on 

 the second, using horses. The contest, however, was s{)ii"ited 

 and the work well done. I'hc general employment of a driver 

 of the team, besides the holder of the plough, seems to us to be 

 unnecessary with any thing like a well-trained team ; and 

 equally so, the frequent urging of tlie team, which indicates an 

 anxiety to complete tlie work quickly, rather than to do it 

 thoroughly. 



One of the most })leasing features of this occasion was the 

 admirable spirit manifested, in the free and joyous association 

 of the men of literature aiid science from the academic hall 

 with tlie hardy cultivators of the soil and industrious laborers 

 in the mechanic arts ; all engaged, with apparently equal zeal 

 and interest, in promoting the special objects of the day. Nor 

 do we know of any thing which affords better promise for the 

 advancement of the great interests of the State, than the closer 

 union between science and labor which is here and elsewhere 

 felt to be essential to the common weal, and the ampler pro- 

 vision which is here and elsewhere made for higher attainments 

 in the knowledge and application of those sciences chiefly 

 pertaining to agriculture and the mechanic arts. 



The recollection of Amherst and its beautiful scenery — so 

 garnished as it was by the hand of creative wisdom and 

 benignity — its noble institutions of learning, offering the best 

 possible advantages for acquiring knowledge and forming char- 

 acter, sharpening the intellectual and strengthening the physical 

 powers — the general intelligence and moral worth, the comfort- 

 ableness and happiness of the people that crowded the agri- 

 cultural liall and grounds ; and especially the attentions and 

 generous hospitality which your delegate received, will ever 

 remain among the pleasant memories of his life. 



Charles C. Sewall. 



