SECRETARY'S REPORT. 



The Twenty-third Annual Exhibition was held on the 

 grounds of the Society, on Tuesday, September 28th. 



The weather — always a matter of the first consideration in 

 Agricultural Exhibitions and reports — added largely to the num- 

 ber of false prophets, and veterans of many Cattle Shows rely- 

 ing upon the unvarying experience of many years, were suddenly 

 stripped of their hard-earned reputation for periodical wisdom, 

 by as pleasant a day as the most earnest friend of the Society 

 could desire. 



At 9 o'clock, and first in the order of exercises, was the 

 ploughing match, revived after several years neglect, and it is 

 desirable that it be continued annually hereafter, if the credita- 

 ble performance of this year is to be the standard. This was fol- 

 lowed by the trials of working oxen and steers, which proved 

 worthily interesting, both from the large number of entries and 

 the skill displayed in the management of the teams. The exhi- 

 bitions of gentlemen's driving horses, family horses and matched 

 driving horses, were of the usual degree of excellence, and that 

 of town teams was good, but that it was so small is far from 

 creditable to Worcester North. No society in the Common- 

 wealth can excel the display that can be made in this branch by 

 the farmers and stock raisers of this part of Worcester County, 

 if only a respectable degree of interest be manifested. 



His Excellency, Governor Gaston, arrived on the grounds 

 at about i o'clock, and soon after a procession was formed and 

 marched to the hall, where dinner was served, after an invo- 

 cation of the Divine blessing by the Rev. I. R. Wheelock. 

 The more pressing material demands were fully supplied by 



