APPENDIX. xxxix 



a section of the State where stock-raising is a prominent feature in 

 agriculture, I naturally examined the cattle, horses, sheep and 

 swine first. 



The entries of cattle seemed more numerous than usual, for several 

 new pens were improvised to receive late and unexpected additions. 

 The impression received from a somewhat careful examination of 

 the stock was, that the farmers within the limits of this Society, 

 while raising abundance of stock, are doing so in a haphazard way, 

 or at least, with only a very partial application of the laws of 

 scientific breeding. Yet, in conversation with prominent exhibitors, 

 I learned that a marked improvement was apparent from year 

 to year in the quality of premium stock ; so it seems that this 

 Society, in giving premiums to pure-bred breeding animals onby, is 

 giving an impetus in the right direction to a community who have 

 followed, to a very limited extent, the practice of pure breeding. 



On entering the hall, a most attractive display met the eye on 

 every side. Apples and pears seemed to be literally showered 

 down. Quinces and peaches were as scarce as apples and pears 

 were abundant. Grapes of the common varieties were exhibited, 

 and eleven entries of very handsome cranberries were shown by 

 exhibitors from Marshfield and Duxbury. 



The floral display was exceptionally fine, and was made doubly 

 attractive by the offering of Mr. Alfred Phillips, representing a 

 fountain, most happy in design and skilful in execution. 



Domestic manufactures and fancy articles showed an endless 

 variety of shapes and remarkable fertility of invention, as well as 

 taste and skill in fabrication. 



In the basement there was a display of agricultural implements, 

 stoves, and vegetables. This last department was very full and 

 attractive. A small section was devoted to the products of Green 

 Harbor Marsh, and the samples of squashes, pumpkins, beets, 

 potatoes, tomatoes, cucumbers, oats and rye, raised without any 

 fertilizers, suggested astonishing possibilities for this famous 

 marsh. 



Through the courtesy of President Baker and Dr. Henry, I visited 

 this marsh in compan}* with the Doctor and Mr. Edward White, 

 and there saw what is being done towards reclaiming those thousands 

 of acres. ' From Mr. White I obtained a few facts, and saw his hay 

 raised at the rate of 5,470 pounds to the acre ; examined his oats 

 yielding at the rate of 40£ bushels to the acre ; his rye, at the rate 

 of 34]- bushels per acre. I saw the ground from which these crops 

 were taken. This was the first breaking-up of the ground, and the 

 crops were quite irregular from the difficulty of covering the seed. 

 A load of hay from the marsh was on the ground for examination, 



