xxii REPORTS OF DELEGATES. 



what had been and was being accomplished upon the grounds and 

 educational department, a change came over him, and his conscience 

 was eas} - as to the votes he had given for state pecuniary assist- 

 ance, and he believes it to be worthy the fostering care of the Com- 

 monwealth. 



To one accustomed in his daily round of life to look upon level 

 fields, with poor soil, the eye would seem never to tire viewing the 

 hills and valleys of Amherst and vicinity ; and your delegate brought 

 away with him a pleasing recollection of the apparent success of the 

 exhibition of the Hampshire Society, and the beauties of Hampshire 

 scenery. 



John A. Hawes. 



HAMPDEN. 



The undersigned, appointed to visit the Hampden Agricultural 

 Societ}', reports that business prevented him from attending but one 

 day of the thirty-second annual exhibition of the Society, which was 

 held at the city of Springfield on the third and fourth days of October 

 last. 



The day was pleasant, and everything, so far as depended on 

 the weather, was favorable for the occasion. 



Your delegate considered that his duty consisted in making, so 

 far as appeared to him, an accurate report of the above-named 

 exhibition to the Board. First, there was an extensive show of 

 agricultural implements ; these were shown on the grass near the 

 grand stand, and the gentlemenly owners and their assistants were 

 constantly showing and explaining their particular points to all who 

 desired to know about them. 



In the pens there were about two hundred animals, including four 

 pair of oxen, eleven pair of steers, and a few sheep. Colonel 

 James Thompson exhibited 27 grade cows, — all very fine animals. 

 H. M. Sessions had a herd of Devons. Phineas Stedman & Son, 

 W. R. Sessions, and Ethan Brooks, herds of Shorthorns. The 

 steers were well matched, handy, and docile. The above-named 

 animals, taken as a whole, would be a credit to any society in the 

 State. 



Now, the other side of the story is, that the cattle are only required 

 to be on the grounds four or five hours of the first day ; no properly 

 sheltered pens are provided to keep these fine cattle comfortable 

 during a storm, or to shelter them from a burning sun ; and it 

 appeared to me so strange that these really fine and useful animals 

 should be so treated, when in marked contrast on the same grounds, 



