84 HAMPSHIRE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



shire, or at the exhibitions of other Societies, has the work of this 

 Plow been surpassed by others. Your Committee are happy to learn 

 from Hon. J. W. Proctor, the experienced President of the Essex 

 Society, that the power required for its draft is not greater, than is 

 necessary for the common Plow, with one share. The Michigan 

 Plow is constructed with two shares ; one in advance, turning over 

 the sod ; and the other covering it with the lower soil. This process 

 exposes to the beneficial influences of the atmosphere, the inorganic 

 substances of the Sub-soil which are thrown up ; and by covering the 

 sod, prevents the escape of the fertilizing gasses, during its decom- 

 position. For turning in of grass lands and stubble, this Implement 

 is considered, one of the most important, that has recently come to 

 notice. 



The Annual Address was delivered in the Chapel of the College 

 to a large audience. The object of the Speaker was to establish the 

 importance of thorough education of the farmer for his business ; and 

 to show the necessity of improvement in the agriculture of the State. 

 The strong men of Hampshire County, their intelligent wives and 

 fair daughters ; their learned Professors and Students of Science duly 

 estimate the importance of Agricultural Education and of Agricultur- 

 al Improvement. 



Your Committee would not omit to mention that indispensible part 

 of the exercises of the day, the Annual Dinner. This was attended 

 by about three hundred Ladies and Gentlemen, who sat down to ta- 

 bles abundantly spread with the fat things of the land, and ornament- 

 ed with the offerings of Flora and Pomona. Alfred Baker, Esq., 

 President of the Society, after the temporal wants of the Assembly 

 had been amply satisfied, called out Mr. Boyden, the indefatigable 

 Secretary of the Association, who made a brief and satisfactory Re- 

 port on the progress and condition of this hopeful Institution. Af- 

 ter a song by the College Glee Club, the Chairmen of the Examin- 

 ing Committees announced the Premiums. The President then in- 

 troduced Hon. Edward Dickinson, as Master of Ceremonies, during 

 the intellectual treat. Mr. D. made an able and eloquent speech, 

 and was followed by Hon. J. W. Proctor, President of the Essex 

 Society ; Hon. Geo. T. Davis, Representative in Congress, from the 

 Sixth District; Hon. B. V. French of Braintree; the Orator of the 

 Day ; and gentlemen of distinction in the cause of Agriculture, from 



