WORCESTER AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. 9 



incorporated February 23, 1818, having for its object the 

 promotion of agriculture within the county. 



The first exhibition took place in the month of October, 

 1819, on the Common in front of this building, and its 

 annual cattle-shows have regularly continued, with one or two 

 exceptions, to the present time. Its exhibitions have been 

 attended with all the advantages, and probably more, than 

 could have been anticipated at its incorporation. By its long- 

 continued influence in bringing to its annual fair the best 

 stock and products, and by the liberal premiums offered and 

 paid for every breed of cattle and farm and garden product 

 deemed worthy of encouragement, it has accomplished untold 

 good. 



It has thereby facilitated the introduction as well as the 

 breeding of the most desirable foreign and native breeds, and 

 has enabled the prudent and sagacious farmer to infuse into 

 his horses, cattle, sheep, swine, and poultry the best blood of 

 the world. There is, however, still room for improvement in 

 this department of our farming, and the next quarter of a cen- 

 tury will undoubtedly develop increased interest and more 

 beneficial results. The discoveries in the science of breeding 

 domestic animals, which is now in its infancy, will improve 

 and Americanize our live-stock, giving us such as are 

 especially adapted to our wants and climate, as well as such 

 as will please the eye of an educated fancy. 



The society has about twenty-four acres of land about one- 

 half mile west of Main Street, on which is included a one-half 

 mile track and spacious buildings for the accommodation of 

 its annual exhibitions. 



Five other agricultural societies, daughters I may say of this 

 society, with similar organization, and under the patronage of 

 the State, occupy points within our county at the north, east, 

 south, and west of us, while most of the prominent towns 

 have their local societies and annual shows of cattle, farm and 

 dairy products, fruits, flowers and manufactories; their influ- 

 ence has been manifest and permanent. 



The Worcester County Horticultural Society, by whose 

 liberality we now occupy this hall, was organized in 1840, 

 and incorporated March 3, 1842. You will indulge me in a 

 brief allusion to the history of the society. In the year 1840, 



