county can furnish sufficient room to exhibit the various prod- 

 ucts of industry and art to the thousands attracted by their 

 beauty. 



But while every other class have been stimulated to aid in 

 making our annual shows an occasion of general interest, the 

 hoys have been strangely, but unintentionally neglected. It is, 

 therefore, not surprising that few premiums have ever been of- 

 fered by this Society for any object, which have excited such a 

 general interest as have the generous premiums offered by our 

 President for boys' ploughing. And the boys naturally feel that 

 they are no longer to be merely spectators, but actors and com- 

 petitors with men. 



The ploughing match has always been an exciting scene at 

 our annual shows. Not only farmers, but men of all occupa- 

 tions, and ladies also, eagerly watch with glowing interest 

 each stalwart competitor, as with vigilant eye he guides his 

 well-trained team, and skillfully with experienced arm prompt- 

 ly counteracts any slight unevenness of the team which would 

 mar his work. 



But, as was naturally expected on this occasion, the public 

 eye was turned with a deeper interest to see these hoys, with- 

 out the strength and experience of the stalwart ploughmen 

 around them, undaunted by the public gaze, — guide their 

 teams and lay their maiden furrows. 



Seven boys competed for the prizes : 



Charles Fish, of Danvers, age 15 years ; team owned by 

 Francis P. Putnam — used Holbrook's Universal Plough, No. 

 94. 



Eben Dodge, of Danvers, age 17 years ; team owned by 

 Francis Dodge — used Holbrook's Universal, No. 94. 



S. F. Barker, pf North Andover, age 16 years ; team own- 

 ed by William Foster — used Puggles & Morse's, letter B. 



Eustis Balch, of Groveland, age 18 years ; team owned by 

 Thomas Balch — used Holbrook's Universal, No. 95. 



George Stiles, of Marblehead, age IT years ; team owned 

 by , used Lion Plough, No. 61. 



