combining their capital with knowledge and skill in the art of agricul- 

 ture ; that here is an important centre of education and influence, the 

 seat of Amherst College, the Agricultural College, both aided by the 

 State, and the Experiment Station, supported by the State, and that 

 the State sends this Society six hundred dollars yearly for the 

 encouragement and advancement of intelligent scientific agriculture. 

 Is it too much to expect of a community so highly favored, that the 

 people would be actively interested in the practical work and success 

 of this Society? and by their presence at the Fair, and an exhibition 

 of the abundance of their agricultural and material products, secure 

 the personal interest and assistance of the large number of educated 

 people in this locality — more to a square mile than are found any- 

 where in the State, outside the larger cities — and make this Hamp- 

 shire County Fair a festival of the whole community, one of the most 

 successful in the State? 



The early history of the Societ}' shows that this result was at- 

 tained for several years. The first Fair, Oct. 30th, 1850, was a grand 

 success. Of this, the Secretary said: "The morning broke in 

 splendor. The booming of artillery announced the advent of the 

 farmer's holiday. 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 number of working 

 cattle on the ground at noon was 630, and was the largest display 

 ever made i^ this part of the State." 



Of the second Fair he says : •' It swept by with the rush of a 

 tempest. The number of horses on exhibition was 123. A plow- 

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

 whole number of cattle was 500 ; three town teams contained 165 

 pairs of working oxen. The Belchertown team contained over 101 

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

 with agricultural devices, and holding 181 persons. The exhibits of 

 the dairy 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 one hundred in number." 



From the Secretary's i*eport for this year, 1885, we find that 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. The earlier Fairs "were 

 attended by crowds of spectators, exhibitors, cattle and horses ; " 

 while this year only $57 was taken at the gate the first day, and $373 

 the second. 



