SECRETARY'S REPORT. 



Our Fair this year was a grand and glorious success. None are 

 more rejoiced tlian tlie officers who, for years, have worked and toiled, 

 exerting every effort to maintain the old, and incite new interest 

 among the members of the society and those outside of it. Yet their 

 efforts in the past have only been partially rewarded on account of 

 the storm that invariably comes on the days of the Fair. But this 

 year was an exception, warm, cloudless, and beautiful days were be- 

 stowed upon us, and the officers, stimulated by the propitious 

 weather, went to work with new zeal and energy to add every possi- 

 ble comfort and enjoyment to those who were in attendance. That 

 the efforts of the officers were appreciated, the fair a success, the 

 once waning interest in the society has gone, and new interest in 

 agriculture is being dift'used through the people of this section, is 

 evidenced by the list of new members, which is larger than for soaie 

 years previous. 



We proudly point to the products that were gathered in the hall, as 

 a proof of Hampshire and Franklin county farmer's skill in wringing 

 from the soil the choicest fruits and vegetables. If we have not the 

 abundance of our Western brothers, we glory in our crops as the 

 product of thought, labor and industry. 



In number the entries in Fancy Articles, etc, were not as numer- 

 ous as last year, but all agree who examined the various articles with 

 care, that they were far superior in quality and point of beauty to 

 those of last year. 



Outside the hall was a surprise to every one, not even the most 

 sanguine officer anticipated such a displa}' of the finest of herds and 

 tlocks as were on exhibition. The reports of J. C. Dillon, George 

 P. Smith, and W. L. Boutwell, printed elsewhere, partially describe 

 the entries. 



