ESSEX AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY 45 



tradition lingers that his wife was a daring rider, and 

 that while the house was being built the workmen con- 

 structed a narrow ascent to the second story, up which 

 she rode her spirited horse. 



Be that as it may, it is an historic fact that the ancient 

 Garrison House, into which the Topsfield folk hurried 

 when the Indians attacked Haverhill and carried off 

 Hannah Dustin, was built in the great field utilized for 

 the tents, in the rear of the band stand. The great 

 trees on the turnpike near by and on the edge of the 

 field were set by Dr. Treadwell in 1835. Here a very 

 successful Fair was held. There was a band, and base- 

 ball, and hurdle-racing, but main reliance was placed on 

 the old-fashioned ploughing match and heavy draft by 

 horses, and in the fine exhibition of animals, fruits and 

 flowers, and home work in infinite variety. 



•In 1911 the number of cattle, horses and swine was 

 nearly doubled. The ploughing, harrowing and drafting 

 by horses attracted much attention, as usual, and there 

 were unusually large exhibits of poultry, fruit and vege- 

 tables, stimulated by the silver medals, given by Mr. 

 Thomas E, Proctor, for the best collection in each of 

 these departments. The school exhibits proved an inter- 

 esting novelty. In the Spring the school superintendents 

 had given four potatoes and six ounces of sweet corn 

 to every child who agreed to plant and care for them. 

 Exhibits of the product came from nearly every town, 

 as well as speciments of handiwork. In addition to the 

 Holsteins, Guernseys and Jerseys, Kerry cows, the breed 

 which had been exhibited forty years before by D. F. 

 Appleton, re-appeared at this time, and eight yoke of 

 oxen lent an old-time flavor. 



In 1912, from the old Fatherland Farm, owned a cen- 

 tury before by Gorham Parsons, one of the staunch 

 supporters of the Society, now owned by Frank L. Burke 

 and Son, came their herd of imported Ayrshires. South- 

 down, Shropshire and Horned Dorset sheep and a few 



