43 



Under the supervision of the committee a])pointcd at the 

 annual meeting in March, the land was enclosed with a sub- 

 stantial fence, averaging nine feet in height, and the twenty-two 

 buildings were arranged to suit the requirements of the Society 

 for the exhibition of fruits, flowers, horticultural, agricultural 

 and dairy products, ladies' work, implements, stabling, cattle- 

 stalls, etc. Several of the buildings were fitted with box-stalls 

 for horses, of which there are eighty in all. Buildings were 

 prepared for ticket offices, reception room, secretary's room, re- 

 porters' room, judges' room, cooking room, superintendent's 

 apartments, and for other purposes — each detail of management 

 and exhibition having its separate room fitted up in appropriate 

 fashion. These are all on the northern side of the square. 

 Southerly is an ample area, which will be devoted to such gen- 

 eral purposes as necessity may demand. Within this space 

 there are four wells of excellent water, with pumps and water- 

 ing troughs for animals ; and immediately outside the gate, at 

 the northeast corner of the grounds, is a living spring of the 

 purest water fit to supply the wants of thousands. At the 

 opposite corner — but separated from the grounds by the Provi- 

 dence Railroad — is Readville Pond, containing a large body of 

 water. At the northwest corner there are eighty-eight pens 

 erected, viz., sixty-three for cattle, eighteen for sheep, and seven 

 for hogs, and near them is a building wdiere an assistant secre- 

 tary will supply labels for the various descriptions of stock on 

 exhibition. 



Extending from east to west, in its greatest length, and on 

 the south end of the ground, is the half mile trotting course, 

 fenced inside and outside with post and rail and graded to a 

 level — at the southeast corner to a height of two to five feet. 

 Like all egg-shaped courses it has its disadvantages in the rather 

 sharp turnings at the two ends, but the curves have been made 

 as wide as possible, and for all needful purposes of the Society 

 it will be found satisfactory. At the northwest curve is situated 

 the judges' stand, which will accommodate eight persons, and 

 which is elevated ten feet above the level of the track. Outside 

 the course, and facing the stands at an angle, a stand has been 

 erected which will seat a thousand persons, and from which a 

 perfect view of the whole track can be had. 



