xxxiv REPORTS OF DELEGATES. 



allowed to depart immediately, as is the case in some societies, but 

 were remanded to their stalls and pens to await further and closer 

 inspection from the public, which was to us a novel and pleasant 

 opportunity. 



The hall exhibitions were like those of many other societies, 

 meagre in spots, and ample where you would least expect them. 



The centennial department, by which is meant the display of 

 antiquities, was very large and interesting. One gentleman from 

 Taunton got together 146 articles of this kind, and he had several 

 rivals. 



The ladies showed their hands nobly in various departments, of 

 which mankind are supposed to know but veiy little. 



As a whole, we should say the exhibition was well worthy the 

 bounty of the State, and highly creditable to the people of Bristol 

 Centre, and the improvement and elevation of the masses by it are not 

 to be computed. The loss of the late Dr. Durfee is deeply felt by this 

 Society, and fortunate will it be when another benefactor like him 

 arises. 



The committee on flowers fitly said : — 



" The brilliant contributions of the late lamented ex-president and 

 devoted friend of our Society, Hon. Nathan Durfee, for the first time in 

 the long series of our annual exhibitions, have ceased to add lustre to the 

 display of fruit and flowers which he loved so well. 



" The vacant space which he would so nobly fill if living, is more 

 eloquent in its pathos than any words of eulogy which your committee 

 could bestow. Though we may never hope to rival the exquisite displays 

 which alone ensured the success of this department, their memory will 

 serve as a perpetual incentive to emulate his example." 



J. N. Bagg. 



PLYMOUTH. 



The fifty-seventh annual fair of the Plymouth County Agricultural 

 Society was holden at Bridge water on September 20, 21 and 22. Your 

 delegate arrived on the grounds of the Societ}^ on the first day of 

 the fair, while a cold north-east storm was prevailing, and everything 

 looked cheerless indeed for a successful show ; but events showed 

 that the Plymouth County people were not to be debarred from the 

 pleasure of their annual holiday from fear of threatening clouds or 

 damp feet. The Societ}' have one of the best-arranged halls for 

 holding exhibitions there is in the State. They expended within 

 the last j'ear, some eleven or twelve thousand dollars in enlarging 

 and improving their hall. It is situated on a slight eminence over- 



