SECRETARY'S REPORT. 



In looking back over past life we arc reminded of our faults and 

 are stimulated to rectify them in the future. Perhaps it will be well 

 for the members of the Society to glance back and see of what 

 importance the Hampshire Agricultural Society Fair was in this and 

 adjoining counties. It can be best described by the report of the 

 secretary made at the time. The first fair was held Oct. 30, 1S50 ; of 

 this the secretary said: "The morning broke in splendor. The 

 booming of artillery announced the advent of the farmer's holiday. 

 The signs of a cattle show began to multiply in variety and number. 

 Winding over hill and dale, came long strings of cattle and files of 

 lowing cows, bleating calves and sheep, squealing pigs, roaring bulls 

 and neighing horses. The public square was dotted with oyster 

 booths, auction-stands, ginger-bread and cider carts. The number of 

 working ca,ttle on the ground at noon was 630 and was the largest 

 display ever made in this part of the state." Of the second Fair he 

 'says : " The second anniversary came, with its excitement, its crowd 

 of spectators, exhibitors and cattle. It swept by with the rush of a 

 tempest." The number of horses on exhibition was 123. A ploughing 

 match was had in which there were twenty-three entries, the whole 

 number of cattle was five hundred. Three town teams contained 165 

 pairs of working oxen. The l>elchertown team contained over 101 

 yoke, which were decorated with banners and drew a car ornamented 

 with agricultural devices, and iiolding 181 persons." Of the hall dis- 

 play he says: ''The exhibits of the d:ury was good, there was 

 twenty lots of butter and thirty of cheese, all of fine appearance and 

 quality. The loaves of wheat and rye bread exceeded 100 in 

 number." 



Com[)are these exhibits with those of thirty-five years later. In 

 1885 there were less than twenty-five yoke of working oxen and fifty 

 horses entered. There were six entries of cheese, eight of butter and 

 nineteen of wheat, rye and Indian bread. 



