APPENDIX. xxi 



families, and all make the most of it now, and look forward with 

 pleasure to the next meeting. 



In iny judgment this Society promotes, very materially, the inter- 

 ests of agriculture in the district of its location. 



Stephen Shepley. 



HAMPSHIRE. 



" Rain, of course," was the general sound from lips of all inter- 

 ested in the show at Amherst on the first day of the exhibition ; but 

 the ardor of the workers was not dampened, for, upon arrival at the 

 grounds, }*our delegate soon found he was in the region of " Short- 

 horns." To him it was a rare sight, for, in his section of the State, 

 a full-blooded " Durham " is a rara avis. The collection was 

 large, and the best specimens of the breed were there in large num- 

 bers. Where so many were collected together, it would not be fair, 

 were it possible, to say which was the best ; although a breeder of, 

 and believer in, "Jerseys" for family cows, that day sure he Mowed 

 with Shorthorns. Your delegate was in the care of Professor Stock- 

 bridge, of the Agricultural College, and those who know him will be 

 sure that all the good points were shown, and no invidious distinc- 

 tion made. Long lines of noble-formed and well-cared-for oxen con- 

 tentedly chewed their cud, and, obedient to the voice of the drivers, 

 went over the usual course. But after a brief look at the out-door 

 exhibit, the rain drove us within doors ; and in the lower story of 

 the building the examination of flowers, fruits and vegetables, and 

 other collections, was made. Large collections of vegetables, very 

 tastefulh 7 displayed, were made by Mr. W. L. Warner and others 

 whose names have escaped my memory. The whole display was 

 very creditable, and some portions hardly ever surpassed by any 

 Society. 



Contrary to usual custom, the Society dinner was held the first 

 day. Your delegate, supposing it would be the second day, had 

 made his arrangements to be absent from dinner, and reserve his 

 speech for some very distant occasion ; but he was caught, and 

 sandwiched between Mr. President Seelye and Professor Stockbridge ; 

 so % vou will understand that the inner layer was very thin. After 

 dinner, Professor Stockbridge, in a pouring rainstorm, took your 

 delegate over the grounds, and through some of the buildings of the 

 Agricultural College. Your delegate never before had much faith 

 in that experiment, and in his legislative action had, with many 

 twinges of conscience, voted for state appropriations ; but as he saw 



