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siderable trouble and expense : the primary object of the So- 

 ciety was to promote the agricultural interest, chiefly ; and 

 though the whole amount of premiums awarded this year, 

 is more than double the sum appropriated to this department 

 at any previous exhibition, still it is not sufficient to afford 

 very strong inducements to mechanics of humble means, to 

 incur the expense of exhibition. These and other reasons 

 which need not be specified have always operated unfavorably 

 upon the show of articles in this department. In view of the 

 importance of our mechanical and manufacturing interests, 

 the suggestion, often made, that the mechanics and manufact- 

 urers of Worcester North should establish a separate associa- 

 tion, is worthy of consideration. 



Many of the articles were exhibited by persons who are 

 not members of the Society, and for this reason were not en- 

 titled to the premiums which would otherwise have been 

 ^warded. Some of these deserve more than the passing notice, 

 to which the limits of this report confine us. Among them 

 were Melodeons, JEolians, and Pianos, from the manufactory 

 of J. P. & J. Whitney, of Fitchburg, which, for evenness 

 of touch, pureness of tone, and elegant finish, were fully 

 equal, if not superior to any instruments of the kind we ever 

 examined. 



Mr. Levi Stevens, of Fitchburg, exhibited specimens of 

 School-house and Locomotive Bells, and Brass Castings of a 

 quality and finish that prove him entitled to a place in the 

 first rank of skilful mechanics. 



Mr. Solomon W. Ruggles, of Fitchburg, exhibited his Fan- 

 Blower, an invention almost invaluable, and which has been 

 successfully applied to a far greater variety of uses than the 

 inventor himself contemplated. For blowing foundry, facto- 

 ry, steamboat, and blacksmith fires, it is now reckoned indis- 

 pensable. And it is equally efficient in preventing dust in 

 factories, drying warps, &c, &c. This machine received a 

 premium last year. The patent is owned by Messrs. G. D. 

 Harris & Co. 



