APPENDIX. xvii 



in raising corn. Mr. Taft thought money was easier made in raising 

 corn in Worcester Count}' than in Illinois. 



It is much to be regretted that an intellectual entertainment like 

 this draws the attention of so few of the farmers and others. There 

 were man}' vacant seats at the table. This should have been the 

 great attraction of the day. Men are awaking to a better system 

 of husbandry. I ask the farmers and others to see well to it that 

 an intellectual banquet of high order is always provided for their 

 annual festival, and then grace it with their presence and hearty 

 sympathy. 



I wish here to record my grateful remembrance of the hospitality 

 and kindness extended to me by the President and his family, at 

 their pleasant home. 



C. Sanderson. 



HAMPSHIRE, FRANKLIN, AND HAMPDEN. 



The fifty-eighth annual exhibition of the Hampshire, Franklin, 

 and Hampden Agricultural Society was held on Wednesday, Thurs- 

 day and Friday, October 4, 5 and 6. The weather on the first day 

 was very favorable, but the second and third were very rainy, the 

 attendance was very small, and, finally, the Society was obliged to 

 adjourn all proceedings until fair weather. The receipts at the 

 gate were, in consequence, very small. 



On my arrival on the ground, I was introduced to the President, 

 Secretary, and a number of other gentlemen, who escorted me around 

 the grounds with much attention. 



My first object was to examine the stock. First, my attention 

 was directed to the herd of Milo J. Smith & Son, consisting of 

 one bull, the "Baronet," six years old, weight, 1,800 pounds, sired 

 by the 14th Duke of Thorndale ; also, eleven cows, nine heifers, — 

 all thoroughbred Shorthorns, and animals of great merit. 



A. T. Judd of South Hadley showed a herd of fifteen Shorthorns : 

 one bull, "Oxford Chief," three years old, weight, 1,900 pounds; 

 a bull-calf, eleven months old, weight, 850 pounds ; twelve cows and 

 heifers, — all fine animals. 



S. A. Bates of South Hadley exhibited a herd of fifteen head of 

 thoroughbred Shorthorns, — and a fine lot, too. The herds of Mr. 

 Smith, Mr. Judd and Mr. Bates would be a credit to any state 

 show. 



There was only one herd of Ayrshires, and that was exhibited by 

 John F. Thorp. Mr. Thorp's object is to furnish milk for the 

 market, and his herd is well adapted for the purpose. 

 3 



