174 BRISTOL AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



Domestic Manufactures. 



Though many elegant articles were offered, and though an 

 improvement is observed over former years, the committee re- 

 gret that the exhibition of articles of domestic manufacture still 

 falls far short of what it ought to be, both in extent and beauty. 

 The inferiority has, in former years, been, in part, owing to the 

 injury to which the articles offered were exposed, from being 

 handled. By the present arrangement, this liability is re- 

 moved. 



Another cause, and one which still remains, is the trifling 

 amount of the premiums. The committee, therefore, recom- 

 mend, if the funds of the society will admit of it, that double 

 the sum at present allowed, say, one hundred dollars, be ex- 

 pended for this department. More valuable prices, and separate 

 tables for each town in the county, would call forth more com- 

 petition, and be productive of the happiest results. The com- 

 mittee would suggest, whether a few gold and silver medals 

 would not be a greater inducement to some ladies to contribute 

 to the exhibition than a sum of money. It might be left op- 

 tional with the recipient to take the one or the other. 



By far the larger part of the articles exhibited are contributed 

 by the inhabitants of Taunton, and the immediate vicinity. 

 The committee account for this, on the supposition, that the 

 trifling premium now offered does not compensate the owners 

 for the cost, trouble, and risk, of sending from the more distant 

 parts of the county. It is, indeed, not very flattering to a lady's 

 taste and skill, that months of application should be rewarded 

 with twenty-five cents. 



' It is feared, that the importance of this exhibition is not sufii- 

 ciently considered. Needle-work, every one will admit, is an 

 important branch of education. The needle holds a place in 

 our domestic economy, which cannot be overlooked, and should 

 be acknowledged. 



TIMOTHY GORDON, Chairman. 



