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Hampshire Hall covered a very good exhibit of cut flowers from near- 

 by growers. Fruit and vegetables, while not in large quantity, were of 

 good quality. The display of corn, both of flint and dent varieties, was 

 one of the largest and best ever seen at a county fair. I am sorry to 

 note that none of the creameries and but few private dairies sent sam- 

 ples of their product, but three lots of butter being shown, and this in a 

 distinctly dairy region. It might be well to offer special inducements 

 for exhibits in this class. 



The samples of milk of the different breeds of cows at the college 

 farm, with the amount of fat each sample contained, was quite an object 

 lesson. The display of fruit and vegetables from the college farm was 

 one all visitors might study with profit. 



The ladies' handiwork was much in evidence and nicely arranged, 

 while several of the local salespeople sent good exhibits of their wares. 

 A large collection of agricultural tools and household utensils of patterns 

 used in the last century served to show the younger generation some of 

 the advantages they enjoy. 



A band from an adjacent city was employed which rendered a fine 

 concert in the town hall on the evening cf the first day of the fair, thus 

 serving to remind the townspeople who were not inclined towards agri- 

 culture that a fair and cattle show was in session. The only other out- 

 side attraction was an exhibition of fancy or trick bicycle riding which 

 was witnessed by nearly all present. While the managers all seemed 

 to be workers the gate receipts were not" as large as the exhibition 

 seemed to merit. The crowd appeared to be good-natured and to enjoy 

 itself, but a little larger one could have been entertained. 

 Which is respectfully submitted by, 



John Bursley, Inspector. 



New Members for 1897. 



A. G. Childs, South Deerfield. 

 D. S. Kennedy, Ware. 

 Richard L. Lyman, Montague. 

 Almon L. Pratt, Belchertown. 

 Mrs. A. E. Chamberlain, Amherst. 

 Mrs. D. H. Slate, 

 Mrs. H. M. Thomson, 

 Annie J. Lentell, " 



Mima B. King, 



