APPENDIX. xv 



of the nimble-fingered lassies, in the shape of tidies, mats, pillows, 

 etc., absorbed the attention of all. 



The music was furnished by the Southbridge Mechanics' Band, 

 and the dinner was served in the lower hall, where were gathei'ed 

 the farmers and their wives, who seemed to enjoy the good things 

 provided by Caterer Oakes. After the appetite was appeased, all 

 gathered in the upper hall, where no formal address was delivered, 

 but the audience listened to a free and easy talk from the delegate 

 of the Board, N. S. Hubbard of Brimfield, an ex-delegate and mem- 

 ber of this Board, and others, who discussed grasses, milch cows, 

 and feeding the same, root crops, fertilizers, and kindred subjects, in 

 which farmers have a common interest. Some specimens of D3 T -gone 

 days, in the hall, reminded the antiquary that this was the centen- 

 nial 3'ear, and manifested that the good old times of our ancestors 

 were remembered, and their relics sacredly cherished. 



The second day of the fair was the horse-day, and a grand caval- 

 cade ushered in the exercises of the morning. Interest was mani- 

 fested in the colts, turn-outs, family-horses, and trotters, and yet it 

 did not seem to eclipse that of the previous day. The races showed 

 some light-footed, fine-stepping, square-trotting animals, and the 

 prizes were won by " John Henry," " Fearless," and " Emperor." 



The assets of the Society are $13,900, the liabilities $4,243.50, 

 and the relative standing is about $400 better than last year. 



This fair seemed to be the farmers' holiday. The mechanic, the 

 merchant, the operative, all joined in the festival. Considering the 

 show in all its departments, we came to the conclusion that the 

 Society is doing a good work for the farmers, and the tendency of 

 the fair is to foster agriculture, the object for which this Society was 

 incorporated. 



Horace P. Wakefield. 



WORCESTER SOUTH-EAST. 



The seventeenth annual fair of the Worcester South-East Agri- 

 cultural Society was held at Milford, September 26, 27 and 28. 



How a fireman's muster can be run in connection with an Agri- 

 cultural Society was shown most successfully on the first day. Six 

 hundred dollars were awarded in pi*emiums. This left to the Soci- 

 ety, net, the sum of $1,000. Financially, this was a good beginning. 



During the night previous to the second da} r , a heavy rain-storm 

 prevailed. But the morning ushered in a bright and cool autumn 

 day. My attendance was only on this day. This day's exhibition 



