38 MIDDLESEX SOCIETY. 



present early, and the Ploughing Match, which came off at 

 9 o'clock, in a most pelting storm, was well attended. The 

 whole number of double and single teams was twenty -five, and 

 the zeal and earnestness of the ploughmen seemed only increased 

 by the rain. The double teams ploughed nine inches deep, and 

 the single, eight inches. The soil, a rich loam, was rendered 

 heavy by the wet, but the work was never done better. Great 

 improvement, both in ploughs and in the manner of using this 

 important instrument, has been manifested within a few years, 

 owing, in a great measure, to the influence of the annual trials 

 at these exhibitions. 



The cattle pens were well filled with very excellent speci- 

 mens of neat stock, although this county is by no means a 

 grazing county, and the number of cattle, raised in it but few 

 more than is required to stock the farms. Of course it is from 

 these that the specimens must come, and animals that are daily 

 used will hardly compare with those which are kept for show 

 or meat. The milch cows and heifers, in particular, were many 

 of them remarkably fine animals for native breeds, one cow 

 having given milk enough to make fifteen pounds of butter in 

 one week, according to the certificate and affidavit of the owner. 

 The bulls, both of native and cross breeds, were fine, large, 

 well-formed animals, showing that greater attention is paid 

 each year to the quality of the stock to be raised, even if the 

 quantity is small. In swine, perhaps, more than in any other 

 animals, has there been the greatest improvement. Those ex- 

 hibited this year make a wonderful contrast in their small heads, 

 short limbs and large bodies, with the gaunt, long-nosed, horse- 

 limbed animals that a few years since filled the farmers' pens. 

 This may be traced very directly to the influence of the reports 

 of the Committees on Swine in past years, combining useful 

 hints as to selection and care, and following with unmerciful 

 ridicule the improper courses then adopted in these respects. 



The exhibition of household and domestic manufactures was 

 not large, but was very good and ingenious. That of lump 

 butter was also very good. The display of fruit, perhaps, pre- 

 sented the strongest contrast over former years, and afforded 

 the clearest indication of the benefits resulting from such exhi- 



