Worcester daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1850-1888, 1857-09-24
G6 4a'lp Spp.
THURSDAY, SEPT. "a. 1857.
ThIrIy-N Ninth Annual Exhibition of Ihe
WoFcester A grIculturaI Society.

Tue annual EXHIBITION OF the worcester Couh'y
Agricultural Society was held here on Wednes-
day. the Society's grounds, in the West part of
the city, and, Notwithstanding the iDauspicious
state of the weather on the previous night and on
the morning Of the Show, the number Of entries
was unusually large, and the Show, as regards
both the quantity and quality of the stock is ad-
mitted, by the best judges, TO have been the pest
ever held under the auspices OF the Society,"
Both of the long ranges Of pens, extending
through the entire length Of the enclosure, were
oiled with the choicest specimens of the cattle,
sheep, and swine, of the farmers of Worcester
County, and at almost every hitching post within
the enclosure. were to be seen the splendid work
ing oxen. and steers. of the various herds best
suited for ploughing the stubborn soil Of old
Massachusetts,, and best adapted to all the pur.
poses for which their services are required by the
Yankee farmer
The whole number of entries Of stock was
three hundred and fifty, just four more than at
the Show last year. which was held IN connection
with the Show Of the State Society, and under the
extra inducement of the large premiums offered
by the State and open to all competitors within
the Commonwealth.
OF the neat stock, the grade animals or half
boods, of the improved imported stock, seemed
to take the lead. bat there were fine specimens of
thorough bred Durhams, Devons, Alderneys, Ayr.
shires, &c. Among these the Devons seemed to
predominant our enterprising and public spirited
fellow chizen, Harvey Dodge, Esq, of Sutton,
having brought the whole Of his fine herd to the
Exhibition, to which, he has made large addi-
tons the present season, by purchases of that
favorte breed in Maryland.
THE FLOWING MATCH.
The rain of the previous night and in the
morning threatened to interfere seriously with
this part of the performance, but before nine
o'clock the clouds broke away. the sun shone in
all his wonted splendor at this of the year
and the trial of skill for the Society's premiums
was most industriously contested by unusua
large number of the poughmen of the county
The work was done for the most part in sups~
rior manner, and ELECTED the hearty commenda
tions of the committee and spectators
THE PENS.
The attendance Of spectators about the pens
was less numerous than we have ever Witnessed
upon any similar occasion, the rain in the morn
ing having kept thousands away who had intend
ed to be present, but those who were there were
amply repaid for taking the risk Of the weather in
order to behold better show of stock than any
other county in the State can furnish. The COM
mittees werefor the most part promptly upon the
ground, and their Investigations into the merits
of the occupants of all the pens appeared to us to
be made with great care and elaboration.
AGRICULTURAL HALL.
The lower hall Of the building was set apart for
the exhibition of farming utensils and farm pro-
duce, but the Mechanics Fair had drawn off thes
usual contributions Of the one department, and
the Horticultural Exhibition that of the other to
such an extent that this past of the Show was very
meagre. We noticed however, some very fine
cheeses. and boxes ofbutter, that would be called
first quality, in any part of Vermont or even in
Goshen county, New York.
THE DINNER
formed IN procession upon the trotting PARK, not
for trial ofspeed, but for a walk to the tables,
which were set in the upper hall, where dinner
was served up by that most excellent caterer, Mr..
Augustus Mars, in that liberal and recherche,
style for which he is SO famed The tables were
loaded with all the subtantials and delicacies of
the season; and after the divine blessing had
been invoked by Rev. DIR. Hill of Worcester. the
wants of the inner man were attended to with
relish and good will that were delightful TO be-
hold. The dinner was not only FIRST rate, but it
was well served, and everybody seemed well
pleased with this part of the performances.
ToAsTs, SPEECHES, &C.
When the eatter of knives and forks had sub,
sided, and everybody had had enough, Hon John
Brooks Of Princeton, President of the Society,
called the meeting to order, and made brief
speech, congratulating the Society upon its gen.
eral prosperity, and especially upon the success
Of the present Exhibition, concluding his remarks
BY calling upon Hon. Levi Lincoln The venera-
bic Ex-Governor promptly responded to the call
and made brief, but excellent and appropriate
speech. In his estimation, the occupation of the
farmer not only the most useful and honora
BILE occupation in which men could engage, but it
was the most profitable and the most ndepend.
ent. He would like to know what Worcester
County farmer had, in these times of commercial
shipwreck and disaster, any notes that would be
protested, or INDUCED in any fears as to whether
the banks would discount. The Governor con-
cluded with the following sentiment, compli.
mentary to Charles G. Davis, ESQ.,, President of
the Plymouth Agricultural Society. who waslpre-
sent delegate from the State Society, by APP
pointment -
The old county of Plymouth, from whence
came the good seed sown from the Mayhower, and
with team now so strong as TO draw after it the
weight Of every improvement.
Mi. Davis responded in neat and pertinent
speech. which was received with much favor.
He alluded TO the services of the late Elkanah
Watson, son of the old colony in commencing
this great work Of agricultural education by the
establishment Of these annual Cattle Shows. and
then proceeded to speak Of the great necessity
and scope for improvement, in all the departments
OF agricultural life not only in the field and barn,
but in doors, and in the kitchen, most of all.
Hon. Artemas Lee Of Templetol was the next
speaker, and in his usual plain but forcible man
ner, he illustrated the Importance Of agriculture
as an element Of prosperity, and the necessity
that exists for the New England farmer Ito keep
step to the march Of improvement in all other
departments Of industry.
Short speeches were also made by Rev, DR.
Hill, Hon. ira NJ. Barton, and Thomas Drew, Of
Worcester, when it was announced that the time
had arrived for hearing the reports Of Committees,
and declaring the premiums.
THE PREMIUMS. 1913
The President then called on the Chairmen of
tho Com rittees for their reports and the follow
ing Is 4 list Of the awards admitted tbora;n IL