302 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



quality of the specimens. I liavc often noticed that when the 

 cultivation of fruit is first introduced to any locality, the ten- 

 dency is to select fancy varieties, rather than those of well 

 established reputation. But the cultivators in Hampden East 

 appear to have acted more wisely, and to have avoided the evil 

 of multiplying the kinds at the expense of profit. I think, 

 indeed, in reference both to apples and pears, I saw fewer 

 varieties which would not at once command a remunerating 

 price in the market than is usual, even in the oldest fruit 

 districts. 



>Iy time being very limited, I did not attend the dinner, nor 

 hear the address, and must pass them over without comment. 

 If I were to speak a word of advice to the managers of the 

 society, it would be in reference to an effort to increase the 

 interest in the public exhibitions of the society. I think I never 

 saw so few people collected at any exhibition of the kind, as at 

 Palmer, although I was informed by several persons, that the 

 number would be much increased to witness a horse trot in the 

 afternoon, which was not, however, under the auspices of the 

 society. 



Without in any way touching the propriety of such exhibi- 

 tions, the thought occurred to me, that if a horse race must 

 come off, it would be bettor to hold it in the morning, in order 

 to draw out the people at a time when a crowd could be made 

 more profitable to the society. 



Upon the whole, however, the exhibition, although not 

 extensive, was calculated to call forth a spirit of emulation, and 

 an effort for improvement which must redound to the benefit 

 of the farmers in its neighborhood. 



John C. Bartlett. 



FRANKLIN. 



The eleventh annual Franklin show and fair of the Franklin 

 County Agricultural Society was held at Greenfield on the 27th 

 of September. ]\ry appointment by the State Board was to 

 attend the exhibition of the Essex Society, but at the request of 

 Hon. Charles G. Davis, of Plymouth, I made an exchange, and 



