64 HAMPSHIRE AGKICUXTUKAL SOCIETY. 



REPORT 

 TO THE SECRETARY OF THE COMMONWEALTH. 



In compliance with the Statute, the Hampshire Agricultural Soci- 

 ety, by its President and Secretary, submits the following Report : 



The annual Cattle Show was held at Amherst, October 22, 1851. 

 It was honored with the presence of several prominent friends 

 of Agriculture, living in other parts of the State. The attendance of 

 the farmers of the County of Hampshire, and even from several ad- 

 joining Counties, was very large. 



The Exhibition opened with the trial of Horses, at half past nine 

 o'clock, in presence of the Officers, Examining Committees, Invited 

 Guests and Spectators. The number, quality and appearance of the 

 horses, received general commendation. The Avhole number, on the 

 ground, was One hundred and iweniy-iliree ; viz : Five Stallions ; 

 twelve Geldings ; forty Working Horses ; twenty-two Breeding Mares ; 

 and forty-four Colts. 



The Ploiving Match, commenced at ten o'clock, on the premises of 

 E. Pomeroy Cutler, near the village. The number of Entries was twen- 

 ty-three. Sixteen lots were plowed. The land was hard, somewhat 

 stony, and adapted to exercise the highest skill of holders and plows. 

 Professional plowmen, interested for rival manufacturers, were ex- 

 cluded from the contest. ' The manufacturers' offer of plows to the 

 competitors, to use for the occasion, was generally accepted. The 

 Society furnished to Messrs. Ruggles, Nourse, Mason &l Co., Messrs. 

 Prouty & Mears, and T. K. Whitemore & Co., every facility for 

 the introduction of their plows, into the Connecticut Valley. The 

 Michigan Plow (or Morton Plow, as it is called in France.) with two 

 coulters, Avas much admired. Each competitor, at the time of his 

 entry, drew lots for his place in the field, and was required to do his 

 work in silence. The plowing was creditable to all the holders and 

 very attractive to the spectators. 



The Trial of Working Oxen, was made at half past ten o'clock. 

 The number of Entries was twenty-five. The load was stone, about 

 two tons in weight, drawn up an ascent in the highway of six or sev- 

 en degrees, by single teams. The work was well done. 



The Show of Cattle was very extensive. Five hundred fine Cattle 

 were securely stationed in Pens, or upon the Common. There were 

 Five Calves ; Seven Milch Cows ; Nine Heifers ; Twelve Bulls ; Six- 

 teen Fat Cattle ; Sixty Steers, one, two and three years' old ; and 

 Three Hundred and Ninety Working Oxen. 



The Belchertown String contained two hundred and two working 

 oxen, in pairs, decorated with banners and attached to a spacious car. 



