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The First Annual Cattle Show and Fair of this Society, under 

 the present organization, was held at Fitchburg, on the 27th day of 

 September, 1853. Although the weather was unfavorable, a vast 

 number of people were drawn together, and the show of cattle, 

 fruits, vegetables, fancy and manufactured articles, was very cred- 

 itable. There was a ploughing match in the morning ; after which 

 a most excellent address was delivered by Rev. Horatio Stebbins, 

 of Fitchburg. 



Previous to 1850, there had been no Agricultural Society in the 

 north part of the County of Worcester, and the want of one was 

 much felt. There had long been one Society established in the 

 County, which held all its meetings at Worcester. Fitchburg is 

 twenty-five miles, and some of the towns, in the northwesterly part 

 of the County, are nearly forty miles from Worcester. 



Some of our citizens were members of the County Society, and 

 participated in its benefits ; but owing to the distance, and conse- 

 quent expense of attending the meetings and shows, only a few of 

 our people received any benefit from that Society. 



Some of the citizens of Fitchburg, feeling the importance of es- 

 tablishing a Society in this vicinity, met at the Town Hall, in Fitch- 

 burg, in March, 1S50, and formed a Society, under the name of 

 the Fitchburg Agricultural and Industrial Association, and invited 

 the citizens of other towns to join them. The admission fee was 

 SI, with an annual tax of SI. From this source, and voluntary 

 contributions from members and others, the Society has been able 

 to offer and pay $400 or S500 each year in premiums. The 

 annual shows have been well attended, and it is believed have pro- 

 duced much good. In 1852, an Act was passed by the Legislature, 

 to incorporate " The Fitchburg Agricultural Society," authorizing 

 the Society to hold property, but confering no other benefits. 



