38 



Nine entries were made, but only six teams contested for 

 the prizes, and your Committee were unanimous in making 

 the awards. 



Whilst finding much to condemn in the general manage- 

 ment of the fair, we take great pleasure in commending the 

 efficiency of the Chief Marshal and his aids, who, by their 

 prompt attention to duty, and gentlemanly deportment, con- 

 tributed largely to the success of the "Old Essex. Society." 

 Too much cannot be said in their praise, and we trust that in 

 the future the marshals will take pattern from the example 

 set them in 1877 at Lawrence. 



It has of course occurred to the mind of every farmer, how 

 rapidly oxen as beasts of labor are being superseded by 

 horses. But perhaps it is worth recording in the Transactions 

 of our Society, that in the year 1870 the United States had 

 7,145,370 horses, nearly one-eighth in the whole world. 

 This fact alone demonstrates that to us as a nation the horse 

 is a matter of importance, — of supreme vital importance, — 

 and should be treated accordingly ; should be bred according 

 to scientific principles ; should be reared, handled and trained 

 with care ; and the result will show, as it has already shown 

 in the United States, that what contributes to the welfare of 

 the whole countr^^, also contributes to the individual welfare 

 of all classes ; of all citizens ; but more particularly to the 

 farmer, with whose interests he is closely identified. 



It is our belief, and it seems to be the universal judgment 

 in this section of the country, that kind, tractable horses, 

 weighing from 1000 to 1200 lbs., are best adapted to the 

 present wants of the New England farmer, and we would 

 urge that in the selection of draft horses, especial attention 

 be given to their fast walking, as well as to their good work- 

 ing qualities. 



Coimnittee — Horace F. Longfellow, Wm. P. Bailey, Jas. 

 H. Cheever, Henry C. Harnden. 



