SECRETARY'S REPORT. 



The twenty-first annual exhibition was held at the grounds of 

 the Society, on Tuesday and Wednesday, Sept. 23d and 24th. 



The exercises of the first day began with a plowing match at 

 10 o'clock A. M., which was followed by exhibitions of steers and 

 town teams. A clam bake dinner was served at i^ o'clock in the 

 dining hall. The President of the Society, Stephen Shepley, pre- 

 sided, and Rev. Dr. Grant invoked the Divine blessing. At the 

 close of the dinner, Mr. Shepley introduced His Excellency, Gov. 

 Washburn, who addressed those present on subjects of agricultural 

 interests. He was followed by J. O. Adams, Esq., who spoke on 

 "Our Relations to the Soil." 



In the afternoon, trials of working oxen, working oxen and 

 horses, and foot and wheelbarrow races took place. 



The second day opened at 9^ o'clock A. M., with a grand 

 cavalcade, followed by trials of draft horses and exhibitions of 

 walking and family horses. 



At I o'clock after the Rev. Mr. Spring had invoked the Di- 

 vine blessing, the grand barbecue dinner took place in the hall. 

 Addresses were delivered by His Honor, Mayor Norcross, Prof C. 

 O. Thompson, Senator Boutwell and Congressman Crocker. 



The remainder of the day was consumed by exhibitions of 

 gents' driving horses, foot and potato races, and trials of matched 

 driving and chaise horses. 



The Society was not so fortunate in respect to weather,, as it 

 has heretofore been. The gloomy, threatening sky of Tuesday, 

 and the heavy rain of the following morning, doubtless kept many 

 away. The beautiful afternoon of Wednesday, although of great 

 assistance, came too late to make the fair a financial success. The 

 show of thorough-bred and native stock was small; that of 

 thorough-bred very good so far as it went. The Jerseys belonging 

 to Mr. Brown, attracted considerable attention. The absence of 

 familiar herds was noticeable. It is hoped that under the new 



