6 



INTRODUCTOKY 



proved quite successful. It was immediately succeeded 

 by the Plowing Match, upon the same ground, which 

 was unlike those of previous exhibitions ; the noble ox, 

 whose vast strength combined with gentleness and 

 patience, renders him the most fitting and the most 

 economical motive power for plows in this vicinity, being 

 excluded from competition, no other animal, or article, 

 was found capable of supplying the deficiency, or of 

 creating the interest and excitement common on these 

 occasions. 



The trial of Draught Horses was entered into with 

 more zeal, and brought out some powerful and service- 

 able animals, well trained and well adapted to heavy 

 loads and hard pulls. The show of horses, sheep, swine 

 and poultry was very creditable. The exhibition in the 

 Hall was, on the whole, highly satisfactory ; the display 

 of fruits having never been equalled at any previous 

 exhibition of the Society, constant and rapid as has 

 been the progress, for several years past, in this 

 department. 



After partaking of dinner, served by Mr. W. F. Day, 

 of the Fitchburg Hotel, the Society assembled in the 

 Lower Town Hall, where the President, Thomas Billings, 

 Esq., after some appropriate remarks introduced Doctor 

 George B. Loring, of Salem, as the Orator of the day. 

 Doctor Loring's Address, which is published herewith, 

 was listened to with deep and earnest interest, by a 

 densely packed audience. It was followed by. brief 

 speeches from Alvah Crocker, Esq., D. H. Merriam, Esq., 

 and Doctor John S. Andrews, interspersed with songs 

 from a glee club led by Mr. B. B. Safibrd, a'nd the 

 reading of the awards of the several Committees. 



