APPENDIX. xxxi 



grounds promptly the first day. Arriving on the second, which is 

 the great day, I learned that the ploughing took place on the first, 

 that a large number of teams competed, and that the work, which 

 was in sward land, was well done. 



Inside of the hall, the vegetables, grains, fruits, flowers and 

 needle-work, were in profusion, of fine qualities, and advantageously 

 displayed. Crayon-work, paintings, shell-work, sewing-machines, 

 carpeting, silver-plated ware, a counterpane with 81,988 stitches, 

 made in three weeks, by Mrs. Mary Turner, a lady seventy-two 

 years old, and various other nice articles, had been contributed. 

 Implements of husbandry of improved styles, the products of the 

 foundry and of the cotton mill, carriages, and specimens of finely 

 wrought marble, were not wanting. Bread, butter, and cheese were 

 to be seen as usual. The hall is large, and it was well filled. 

 Altogether it was a fine exhibition. 



Outside there was an excellent show of stock of several of the 

 thoroughbred classes ; it is said there were over 200 head in all. 

 Town teams were there in considerable numbers. The show of 

 horses was pronounced the best the Society has ever made, both 

 in the number and the value of the animals shown. There were 

 splendid males ; and the brood-mares and colts were in such numbers 

 as to demonstrate that the farmers in Bristol County did not mean 

 to depend upon Canada and Vermont for a supply of good horses. 

 One of the reporters present said, that such was the display of 

 swine, it was " enough to drive a Jew crazy with horror." Cer- 

 tainly the Essex specimens were about as near our ideal of perfec- 

 tion, in this kind of animal, as we could expect to see. 



The sheep were good-looking, and the feathered tribes were very 

 numerous and of multitudinous varieties, — some fancy and some 

 otherwise. There were fine arrangements for the accommodation 

 of all. 



At the proper hour we were ushered into the upper hall by the 

 stirring music of the Lyceum band, and found ample tables spread 

 with good things for the inner man. At the conclusion of the 

 repast, the band and chairman upon the platform, called attention 

 to the speaking. Edward L. Pierce, Esq., of Dorchester, who was 

 the orator of the day, gave a very excellent and timely address on 

 the necessity of making the farmer's calling more attractive. The 

 greatest fault of the address, if fault there were, was that it was too 

 short. This, however, was attributable not so much to the speaker 

 as to the audience, who were leaving their seats at the tables almost 

 continuously from the beginning to the end of the address ; hurrying 

 out to be present in season at the " Polo " on the race-grounds ; so 

 that, after the distinguished gentleman sat down, and }'Our humble 



