REPORT OF THE DELEGATE OF THE STATE 

 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE 11^ 1884. 



Tlie visit of jour delegate to the thirty-tiftli annual exhibition of 

 the Hampshii-e Agricultural Society on the 18th and 19th days of 

 September, 1884, was a pleasant one to remember. My report can 

 scarcely prove interesting, there being nothing to criticise adversely 

 and so much to commend. The weather — always a matter of so much 

 anxiety to managers of cattle shows, and a potent factor in determin- 

 ing the degree of success which shall attend them — was of the finest 

 during the two days of the Fair. The first day but few persons were 

 on the ground. The second day a large crowd assembled, making 

 the Fair financially successful and manifesting a deserved apprecia- 

 tion of the efforts of the energetic and genial officers of the Society. 

 This Society is especially fortunate in the character and ability of its 

 officers and their determined spirit to make their Fair deserve success 

 even if it fails to win it. There was a large array of oxen present 

 and the performance of some of them in drawing heavy loads was 

 remarkable. The milch cows and heifers on the ground were largely 

 Jerseys and Ayrshires and mostly fine animals. It was gratifying to 

 see so many registered animals. Two very good registered bulls were 

 on exhibition and the presence of these thoroughbreds must tend 

 oreatly to the improvement of the stock in that county. It must be 

 confessed however that some of the stock might have presented a 

 neater appearance. That was not the fault of the animals. 



There were sixteen entries of swine and the show was good. The 

 pigs had no occasion to be ashamed of themselves. 



The show of sheep was also very good indeed there being about 

 one hundred in number divided among fifteen entries. 



The display of poultry was fair. There were about forty entries 

 and some fine specimens. 



The display of draft horses, carriage horses and roadsters on the 

 track was a remarkably good one. Seldom can so many very fine 



