5G 



the preceediug extracts from the Avihersl Record and Springfield Re- 

 jmlUcan, published at the time, give perhaps, a fail- statement of the 

 interest taken in the Society, and of the success of its annual ex- 

 hibition. Great credit is due President Clark and others connected 

 ■with the Agricultural College, not forgetting the students, lor their 

 efforts to make the occasion praiseworthy. At the last annual 

 meeting by vote of the Society, the executive committee were re- 

 duced in number ft-om thirteen to five. Let me bear testimony in 

 their favor, for all proved efficient men, not only in proposing plans, 

 but in the execution of them. The merchants of Amherst, and in 

 fact everybody who held out helping hands, are not forgotten. Last 

 to commend, but not least by any means, comes the Mechanics' 

 band, of Orange, who furnished excellent music both days of the 

 fair. The experiment of a concert in College Hall Avas financially a 

 failure on account of the storm. Persons who did attend, j)ro- 

 nounced the concert j)olka "Oxford and Cambridge" as rendered 

 by the leader, Mr. Clapp, worth the jDrice of admission.. 



The published annals of the Hampshire Agricultural Society, as 

 well as the written records of the Secretary, indicate a decline of inter- 

 est on the part of the people in the success of our annual fair. 

 There was a time when agricultural fairs were sustained by their 

 novelt}-. The day was ushered in by the ringing of beUs, the tramp 

 of horsemen, the heavy tread of long columns of cattle followed by 

 herds and flocks of every variety, attracting a large crowd of people 

 who gazed with eager interest upon the scene. To-day, like the 

 zealous minister, we need to pray "Oh Lord, rim-rack and centre- 

 shake this whole town with a thundfring revival." Formerly the 

 tables were loaded Avith the choicest fruits of the season, and the finest 

 products of the dair}'^, the hall Avas adorned Avith pictures and taste- 

 ful needlework which oftentimes had occupied the busy fingers of 

 the good wife or daughter for months prior to the fair. All classes 

 of the community entered heartily into the competition. The man 

 of business found time to nurse his mammoth mdlon for Aveeks 

 beforehand, but sometimes found himself outdone by some stripling 

 of tender years Avho had secured a better soil for the gi'OAA'th of his 

 pet, and thus the laurels were borne away by happy and excited 

 victors fi-om evei-y gi-ade of life. Once it Avas the gala day of all 

 classes. From east and west, north and south, there poui-ed into 

 Amherst a flood of people to enjoy this yearly celebration. Many 

 citizens who could not understand the Latin oration at commence- 



