SECRETARY'S RETORT. O 



was unusually large, and the quality much better than 

 at any previous show of the Society. An extensive 

 breeder and good judge of cattle, a member of the 

 State Board of Agriculture, who usually attends the 

 Cattle Shows here, stated that the cattle w T ere at least 

 fifteen per cent, better than he had ever before seen 

 exhibited in this place. A much larger proportion than 

 usual of the animals were pure bred blood stock, and 

 high grades from these; showing an increasing interest 

 on the part of the members of the Society in the busi- 

 ness of breeding superior animals, and improving our 

 common farm stock. 



Mr. A. 0. Cummins, of Millbury, presented for exhi- 

 bition only, not competing for any of our premiums, a 

 beautiful herd of nine high bred, pure blood Short Horns, 

 two bulls, three cows, (one of them imported) and four 

 heifers, all superb animals, owned by himself, A. C. & J. 

 G. Wood, and E. M. Hoi man, of Millbury. These ani- 

 mals, which were among the best of their class, added 

 much to the excellence of the show in this department, 

 and Mr. Cummins richly merited the thanks of the 

 Society for his energy and liberality in thus placing 

 them on exhibition. 



The usual dinner was served by Mr. Day, at the 

 Fitchburg Hotel, at one o'clock, soon after which the 

 Society met in the Lower Hall, where the President, 

 Thomas Billings, Esq., after some appropriate remarks, 

 introduced the Hon. A. H. Bullock, of Worcester, who 

 spoke eloquently of the importance of due attention to 

 the agricultural and mechanical interests of the country, 

 and the important part borne by the old County of 

 Worcester in contributing to the material welfare of the 



