Transactions

UMASS/AMHERST •

U of Mass/ftmtierst Lffirajy

^Ers-X'^'

DATE DUB

UNIVERSITY OF MASSACHUSETTS
LIBRARY

s

74

H3I-12
1 875-77

TRANSACTIONS

ainpshire Agricultural Society

AMHERST, MASS

FOR THE YEAR 1876.

AMHERST:
H. M. McCLOUI), BOOK AND JOB PRINTER.

1875.

LiDitHnf

UNIVERSITY OF
MASSACl-fUSETTS

AMHERST, MASS.

TRANSACTIONS

Hampsliire Agricultural Society

AMHERST, MASS.,

FOR THE YEAR 1875.

AMHERST :
H. M. McCLOUD, BOOK AND JOB PRINTER.

1875.

H IS

OFFICERS FOR 1875

President,
H. C. COMINS, OF North Hadlby.

•

Vice-President,
CHARLES S. SMITH, op Amherst.

Secretary and Treasurer,
J. L. SKINNER, OF Amherst.

Executive Committee, j

E. F. COOK, OF Amherst,
CHARLES H. FIELD, of Leverett,
W. L. WARNER, of Sunderland,
LEWIS W. WEST, OP Hadley,
MONROE KEITH, of Oranby.

Auditor,
O. G. COUCH, OF Amherst.

Member op the State Board of Agriculture,
LEVI P. WARNER, of Sunderland.

SECRETARY'S REPORT.

It would afford your Secretary very great pleasure to be able
to report that all the officers of the Society exerted themselves to
their utmost, that the members were all thoroughly awakened and
displayed an interest in the welfare of the Socj^ty, such as has
not been known these many years, that the number of contribu-
tors had largely increased and filled the hall and grounds to over-
flowing with their stock, their productions, their manufactures,
their fine arts and fancy articles, that the people, old and young,
for miles around, fully appreciated the efforts that were being
made and all the benefits to be derived from the existence in our
midst of a wide-awake agricultural society, and turned out in full
force to view the exhibition prepared for them, making it neces-
sary to procure an extra number of gate-keepers and ticket-sellers,
and that the twenty-sixth annual exhibition of the Hampshire Ag-
ricultural Society was in every respect a grand success ; for as if all
nature were in sympathy with so noble a work, on both days of

the Fair the remarkably favorable weather there's the rub ! It

wasn't favorable at all, but was unfavorable enough to baffle all
the efforts of the officers, the zeal of the members, the earnestness
of the competitors, and the good- will of the populace. There was
no lack of effort, and the result was a fine exhibition in the hall
and an excellent show of stock on the grounds the first day, but
the second day was the worst cattle-show day in our experience.
This seriously affects the treasury by putting the balance on the
wrong side, for the first day of our exhibition is the day when a
very large proportion of the premiums are awarded, and the sec-
ond day is depended upon to furnish quite as large a proportion
of the funds. The only consolation we have under the circum-

stances is that of the old adage : " Misery loves company." All
the rest of the like societies in this section had one or more stormy
days, and our treasury, though not full, is not in so bad a condi-
tion as many of the others. Long life is considered a very great
blessing, and it is the earnest wish of your Secretary that we may
all live long enough to see two pleasant days for the exhibition of
the Hampshire Agricultural Society.

. J. L. SKINNER, Secretary.

ADDRESS

BY PEOFESSOR EDWARD HITCHCOCK.

SUBJECT:
SOME OF THE POISONS OF THE FARMERS LIFE.

Ladies and Gentlemen : — I offer you this afternoon no very ex-
alted theme for consideration. I have no nice theories in agricul-
ture to present to you. I cannot descant upon the poetry and
music of a farmer's hfe. Nor would I impose upon you by mak-
ing suggestions how to raise better crops ; nor advise the best
breed of bulls or cows ; or recommend any special manure or
fertilizer. Nor, much as I love to see and know about them, will
I talk upon the many and beautiful machines which render your
life so comfortable and profitable. I cannot dwell upon the im-
portance to the farmer of schools of science and agriculture,
where the theory and fact of farming are to receive their proper
balance. But I wish to approach the central figure of our agri-
cultural fairs and all farming. I wish to talk to and about the
farmers themselves, the farmers' wives and their children. I
want to look with you at some points in your habits of life, and
Bee if any progress can be made — see if |you can become longer
lived, accomplish more while you do Hve, ward off sickness more
effectively, and do something more than you have done to elevate
the farmer's life to the highest possible standard.

I know it will seem tame to talk about bodily and mental health
in this place. But if Cicero said : " By no other means can man
approach so near the gods as by conferring health on man," and
if St. Paul says : " Beloved, I wish above all things that thou
mayest prosper and be in health," then I am sure this subject is
not beneath the consideration of the enlightened members of the
Hampshire Agricultural Society.

The subject of this address is : Some of the Poisons of the
Farmer's Life.

One of these poisons is the bad air in the dwelling houses, and
especially dnring the colder season of the year. In our cold and
variable climate, specially acting upon our acutely nervous tem-
peraments, we are quite sure to secure animal and artificial heat
enough, even if we do it at the expense of purity of the air. If
we sleep cold we are sure to wake and, pull on an extra blanket.
If we are too cool when we sit down in our houses, the first thin^
is to shut the window. And the patient lungs will endure a won-
derful amount of this abuse. Though they fill and empty better
when the air has its proper amount of pure oxygen, yet they will
pump on harder and harder when the purity of the air is more or
less diminished, for they must do their part to supply the neces-
sary waste. In this centennial year it is proper to praise anything
that is old. Then I\^say hurrah for the old fashioned fireplace,
with its big blaze of flame and coals ! Hurrah for the plenty of
fresh air which it com2oelled in every house ! Are we to suppose
that the young or old people in 1775 suffered any more in their
persons from the cold, or were obliged to dress any warmer than
we do now ? For the purer and more plentiful the air the greater

the animal heat.

Not farmers only, but everybody, iiowadays, make their
houses as close from air as possible, build smaller chim-
neys, put a red-hot furnace in the cellar, stop up every hole,
and have now got to the Yale lock, where there is not even a key-
hole tor the air to escape or enter — and with a little effeminacy,
the result of increasing luxury everywhere, and too often the del-
icate habits of the female portion of the family — but precious little
fresh air is admitted to the house from November to April — about
one-half of the year.

And how about the sleeping rooms of many of our
farmers? Is it not fair to say that the average New Eng-
land farmer and his wife sleep in a bed-room on the lower floor of
the house, fifteen feet one way, twelve another, and seven or eight
feet " between joints," and opening into the kitchen? Perfect
ventilation requires that 3,000 cubic feet of fresh air should be
supplied to each person per hour, and sleeping rooms should allow
1,000 cubic feet of space to each occupant. Now the bed-room

just mentioned contains less than 1,500 cubic feet of space, and
how is this for breath capacity for two persons ? To be sure this
room opens into the kitchen, and thus gives some more air, but
what kind of air would you expect to find in a room at the end of
an evening where the whole family has been gathered, and where
possibly some cooking has been going on at the same time ? 4nd
does the farmer or she the good wife usually take pains to venti-
late the room just before going to bed ?

But now in spite of this dreadful state of things some, yeS,
many people, do raise a family, rear the children to manhood and
womanhood, and how is this about ventilation, if you do violate a
law of nature ? So the Escjuimaux eat and relish for a dessert a
pound or so of tallow candles. Some Chinese feed on worms, not
quite so fat and large as our tobacco worms, and still I believe
there is better food even for them than are these.

And on the other hand, sometimes the wife begins to go down
hill with consumption, a child dies in convulsions, by pneumonia,
cholera morbus or infantum, and then at the funeral there is a
wonderful submission to the will of the Lord at this most myste-
rious dispensation of Providence, when the I'eal thing submitted
to has been the foul air of the sleeping and living-room for past
months or years.

There are some gases almost instantly fatal to life. Carbonic
acid is one. But physiology tells us that there is no poison so fa-
tal to the human race as the exhalations of the human body it-
self. Carbonic acid probably kills by keeping away the oxygen
fi'om bodily tissues, but the decayed, impure and poisonous vapors
cast off by our own bodies not only crowd the pure air out, but
convey directly back into our bodies this fermenting poison of de-
cay and death.

Another point of interest concerning the purity of
the air is the location of it. I mean its position nearer or farther
from or under the surface of the ground. Analysis of the air,
chemical and otherwise, shows most conclusively that near and
under the surface of the ground it is much more injurious to the
health of man than that several feet above it. Hence the lower
story of most of our dwelling houses, and specially that of our
old-fashioned houses, which merely " squat " on the ground, is not
a suitable one for sleeping-rooms. I fulty believe that not an in-

considerable amount of rheumatism, the disease of farmers, would
be done away with if people would sleep in the second story of
the house. But hear what a sensible woman says on this point :

"If every farmer in the land could be made to see that the mi-
asma which floats invisible in the upholding sunlight of noonday
is precipitated by the chill of night, just as the earth in a glass of
muddy water goes to the bottom when at rest, and that he, sleep-
ing on the ground floor is aptly represented by a pin lying in that
layer of mud, he would conquer his aversion to going up stairs,
and once having tasted the superior charms of a fresh airy bed-
room, away from the smoke and the smells of the roasting and
broiling and trying and baking which must be done in every
kitchen, he would never be induced again to sleep below stairs."

Another of the poisons of the farmer's life is pork — P-O-R-K !
Webster defines pork as " the flesh of the hog, fresh or salted, and
used as a food ." Perhaps a definition of pork ought to read some-
thing like this : Pork is the diseased adipose tissue or fat of the
American hog. It is the more and more diseased, and hence
richer in flavor for food to men, as the animal is allowed to hve
on the rotten and filthy excrements of man and beast, and to eat
all the indigestible and refuse food which no other animal will eat,
or smell of but once. If the food called swill is fermented by pu-
trefactive decomposition, the hog is more greedy to get it, and en-
velops himself all the more deeply in the luscious and dehcious
fat. Exercise, sunlight, fresh air, cleanliness and healthy diet,
are not the proper food for fat stuffs. The confinement in barn
cellars, darkness, close pens, filth, the refuse of slaughter houses,
glue factories, and dirty manufactories, give a richness and dainty
flavor to the articles of human food known as bacon, ham, lard,
sausages, salt pork, head cheese, liver, and so on. The hog is the
nest or generating place of the trichina and the elegant tape
worm, which ultimately take up their residence in the bodies of
men and women. He is also the source of lard, or the diseased
fat reduced to a soft solid and used extensively in cookery to pre-
pare the common but innutritions pie crust. Lard is also of'con-
stant use in the frying pan — an American delight. Its great val-
ue here is that it boils at so high a temperature when food is
cooked in it that the tender and juicy albumen is dried up and

greatly injured, but at the same time the dehcate flavor of the dis-
eased fat is all the more brought forward.

If now any one complains that this is no photograph, but an
artistic sketch and highly colored in some respects, it is certainly
safe to say that fully one half the hogs in New England are no
better off than in the character just given them.

But the farmer says : " What shall I do ? It costs but little to
raise hogs ; they help greatly to work over manure, and furnish
food for my family for a large part of the year. I can't afford to live
unless I raise hogs." The answer to this is somewhat radical with
present information on the subject, but it points to an end which
the laws of God compel us to consider, and this is to use none of
this " unclean " animal for food, but in place of it use much more
the natural ripe cooked and uncooked fruits of the earth. Per-
haps you must have one or two hogs to use up certain kinds of
refuse and to turn over the excrements of the barn -yard. Very
well, do it. But make your pig pen at least three times the dis-
tance from the top of your well of drinking water that it is from
the top to the bottom of the well. Then make or have a shed
near by, where a quantity of dry loam can be constantly kept, and
daily (during summer and early autumn), let enough of this loam
be " cast before the swine " to absorb e\erything like liquid or
moist manure and filth. This, with an occasional removal of all
the contents of the pig pen to the compost heap, and you have
the best antidote to one of the farmer's poisons. " But what shall
be done with the pig ?" Why, at any time you please, kill him.
•' And what then ?" Don't carefully scrape, scald, clean and put
inside of salt in barrels down in your cellar his worthless carcass,
but cut him into inch pieces, bones and all, and put a large bucket
full of them down deep among the roots of your grape vines.
Give every pear and apple tree a good dinner of the same. Feed
currants and gooseberries also, and if you get more than you can
us in this way, prepare holes on your ground with this fertilizer,
where you can plant next year some more fruit trees.

Oh, if we only would increase the use of home raised fruit in our
food ! Use it ripe, cooked and uncooked, a great deal more than
we now do ! If we only would substitute for fried salt pork,
sopped bread, boiled pork, doughnuts, and the everlasting pie

10

crust of lard ! If we only would take in tlieir place potatoes with
milk, cream or butter, cooked apples, stewed, dried and fresh
fruits ! If we only would begin the season with and use much
more largely fresh and uncooked fruits at every meal, beginning
in June with strawberries, and ending in November with grapes !
Could not all tbis be done with precious little outlay to you, gen-
tlemen and ladies ? If it were very generally done then we
would predict the farmer's millenium as not far distant.

And how would the mothers and sisters meet the change in
their daily work ? Would they not prefer to go into the garden
and pick, and even in some farms help to cultivate many of the
fruits, rather than roast themselves over the kitchen stove in the
stench of the frying pan ? And the raising of more fruit of all
kinds, which I am sure almost every farmer can double in quanti-
ty, is not of interest simply for your own food. Our mechanics,
tradespeople, school teachers, and other professional folk, will
most happily exchange much of the hog, pork and salt meat for
fruit, when you can afford it to them at reasonable rates.

Ladies and gentlemen of this time-honored society, I beseech
of you to turn your attention to raising more fruit, not only that
which must be cooked, but the delicious fruit which only needs to
be picked and eaten. Then our phpsiologists will insure you less
dysentery, less cholera infantum and majorum, fewer fevers, and,
in fine, better bowels the year round.

A most reliable aad sure poison for farmers is the miasma or
poisonous vapor generated in the refuse tnatter about the house
and the barn. And this is a more common and destructive pois-
on than either of the others just mentioned. And most of our
fevers are caused by the noxious exhalations or germs rising from
decaying organic matter. Till within a few years the air contained
in the upper few feet of the soil has never been brought to notice.
And this does not mean simply that air is cold and damp on the
ground, but that the upper few feet of soil — say six — contains
much carbonic acid and other poisonous gases. A writer who
is probably the first living authority on this subject says : " A few
feet under the surface there is akeady as much carbonic acid as
there is in the worst ventilated human dwellings." Now those
gases are not only out in the fields and at a distance from the

11

house, but they may be and are more or less under ouj
dwellings, their abundance depending on the nature of the soil
and the proximity of their source. And though there may be no
production of them in our own yards, yet these exhalations may
travel a long distance under <^round. In other words, there are
currents and winds underground as well as above it. One
proof of this is seen in the fact that in cities and large towns
where coal gas is burned for illumination, it may often be per-
ceived in a cellar where the pipes are not laid, and even where
there is not a main for a long distance. Another proof is found
in frozen wells, which are not uncommon. How far underground
these gases may travel and enter our cellars like demons of de-
struction research has not yet informed us, since so much depends
on location, the nature of the soil, and the prevalent winds above
the ground, but the fact remains that deadly gases do course rap-
idly through the soil, making what Pettenkofer calls " ground
air," and these gases do come up under our dwellings, and pro-
duce certain diseases. These gases travel much more slowly in
cold than in warm weather, since sunlight and cultivation render
the soil poroiis and easily permeable by them. And hence we see
why fall fevers prevail, as the air during the summer months has
been silently but continually permeating our houses, until the
body is so loaded that the low lingering fever sets in as a neces-
sary result of accumulative poisoning.

In view of this fact is it not a hopeless task to try
to relieve ourselves of this evil, unless we adopt the Chinese
custom of living in a boat, or else of going up in a balloon ?

The first common sense antidote is is to carefully absorb all the
animal manure or filth on our own premises by dry earth, loam
or ashes. When this is done ventilate the cellar. The first day
in spring or late winter when the cellar windows can be opened,
then let the air course freely through it. And never till the next
early winter chill threatens to freeze the succulents, allow them to
be closed. Allow the air to stir and be most thoroughly stirred
in the lower stories of the house, cellar and all, and then, saving
the tin-roofed garret, the other stories will be quite sure to be ven-
tilated also. Or if a housekeeper ventilates her cellar and first
stories she will be quite apt to ventilate the chambers. " Take

12

care of the pence and the pounds will take care of themselves."
After you have got a good current of air regularly going through
the cellar, then give it some light. Oh what an enemy to immor-
ality, to deadly influences of all sorts, spiritual and physical, is
the pure sunlight ! Let the sunlight in and through the cellar if
you would have the best protection to the wife and children at
home. If typhoid fever and dysentery are preferred, then keep
right on and let alone a dark, damp, and dangerous cellar. When
you have let the^air and light into your cellar, then aid the sun to
make it lighter and sweeter by thoroughly washing the ceiling
and sides with lime wash (whitewash). The hme will not only
protect the timbers from decay and fire, but it will destroy some
of the virulence of many deadly gases. It will help also to find
the rat holes, the decaying timber, block of wood, vegetable or
meat, these powerful farmer's poisons.

But a more visible and odorous farmer's poison is to be found
hack of the shed and the kitchen and in the barn-yard. Around
how many farmers' buildings — clear round I mean — can you go
this afternoon, within ten feet of them, without holding your nose
or stepping into filth over shoes ? And yet these very sights and
smells are preparing perhaps some of this audience for the ty-
phoid fever, which may take a life, certainly will take all the
strength of the family to care for, and possibly all the earnings
for a year. A farmer, mechanic, or any other man or woman con-
trolling a homestead in New England is cnlpable, negligently cul-
pable, if they allow a stinking cess-pool, barn-yard or anything of
the sort on their premises. Such a thing is not a necessity, or
even an excusable negligence. For but a small quantity of coal
or wood ashes or loam, if only perfectly dry, is a complete disin-
fectant for this poison ; it will absorb incredible amounts.

And the absolute money profit of saving the drainage of the
house is wonderful. For in most of our houses it is safe to say
that during the year two barrels of soft soap are used and a num-
ber of pounds of hard soap. Here then are perhaps fifty pounds
of soluble potash which are only of use to enrich the coarse weeds
ab(jut the sink drain. Why not keep a barrel or box or two of
dry earth close by the sink drain, and every morning and night
let a few quarts be thrown in to absorb this most common and en-

13

riching food of plants. For I think Prof. Goessmann will tell us
that all land plants contain potash as one ingredient of their struc-
ture.

When one visits, any of the older countries of the world
he is always struck with the careful saving of the drainage
and waste of the house. And as it is carried about the streets in
pails as if most valuable, he is sure of a precious stench, and pre-
sumes that it will be precious food to the crops. He there sees
scavengers who more carefully save every bit of excrement than
does a thrifty Yankee preserve his scraps of lead, brass and iron.

But a word for the barn yard and pig pen in this direction. If
farmers fully appreciated the value of liquid manures and the
best methods of utilizing them, this matter would take care of it-
self. At any rate, my limited hour allows me to presume this
amount of information on your part. But I must do my best to
enforce upon you that it is of the utmost importance to the health
of the household that during the months of July, August and
September a barn-yard with pools of filthy liquid, and even moist
contents, is one of the very best materials with which to generate
autumnal fevers, diarrhsea, dysentery, and this class of diseases.
And if the fai'mer coald be sure to see to it that once each day
all the barn-yard and pig pen waste is thoroughly covered with
dry earth during the dangerous months, we are willing to insure
mnch less of paying the doctor, and a cleaner bill of health all
around. And could I also impress the fact of the money advan-
tage in thus saving the ammonia of his manure, I am ^sure the
physician and the physiologist have done their duty.

Another of the poisons of the farmer's life is merdal and moral
insanity. The population of Massachusetts according to the last
U. S. census was 1,160,666. Of these the number engaged in ag-
riculture as an occupation was 72,810 ; or about one-thirteenth of
the population were farmers. According to the registration re-
port of Massachusetts for 1874, we find that of the people in the
State over 20 years of age, during the past 30 years, engaged in

14

the various occupations mentioned, the average age at death was
50.81 years. The table is this :

Cultivators of the earth lived

65.19 years

Active mechanics abroad . . .

52.49 "

Professional men ....

50.93 "

Active mechanics in shops

49.19 "

Merchants, financiers, agents, &c., .

48.93 "

Laborers (no special trades) .

. 47.31 "

Employed on the ocean, .

46.32 "

Inactire mechanics in shops .

. 43.74 "

Females

40.19 "

Factors laboring abroad

35.92 "

This table shows that the farmer has actually lived 14.38 years
longer|than the average of aU the other occupations, or in other
words has a chance of 8 per cent, more of life than the other oc-
cupations. Well, then, may poets sing about, philosophers praise
and everybody envy this feature of the farmer's life.

A fearful phase of modern life, and probably an increasing one,
is the prevalence of nervous and the so-called mental maladies.
According to the last report of the Mass. Board of Charities, there
were, on September 30, 1874, in the different insane hospitals in
the State, 2,217 patients, or one in every 523 of the inhabitants.
Now what proportion of these patients (and these only men, for
in these hospitals women are not classified by occupations), were
farmers ?

Worcester hospital had

6.37 per cent, farmers

Northampton . . . .

12.37

Taunton ....

. 11.65

Essex

. 26.00

McLean ....

. 8.26

or 10.39 per cent, of all these patients were farmers by occupa-
tion, and some women beside. So that while 13.12 per cent, of
the whole population of the State are farmers, 10.39 per cent, of
the inmates of our insane hospitals are from the same class of
people. And almost always under the head of occupation in in-
sane hospitals, in this country and Europe, we find the farmer
and laborer always rank among the first in numbers.

You naturally ask "Why state of things ? Why is the occupation
by 8 per cent, the healtliiest of all the occupations and trades,

15

the one to furnish so large a proportion of the insane — 10 per
cent.?"

It is not, as ah-eady shown, because of the unhealthful-
ness of the occupation. It is not because you are worked harder
than other occupations. Factory hands and mechanics work as hard
and as many hours as do you, are confined to worse air, poorer
hght, and have no better food. It is not because the proportion
of farmers to the whole population is greater. The farmers are
72,810 to the mechanics 292,695. It is not because of the pover-
ty of fanners, either. Our paupers do not chiefly come from the
farming community.

But this great amount of insanity among farmers may
be directly traced to incessant care, anxiety and worry,
and too little reci'eatiou. Somebody has said most of the
human race are carried off by worry and poor food. The far-
mer carries his loads all the time. He gets up with them on his
back in the morning. He puts them in his pockets at meal times.
He puts them in his cart when he goes to his work in the fields,
he goes to church and town meeting with them, and places them
deep in his heart when he goes to his bed at night. The factory
operative, when he goes out of the miJl gate at night, carries no
burden to worry him, not a bit of that. No thought of his work
troubles his digestion at meal times, after the first stroke of the
dinner bell. The mechanic and artisan, much more than the far-
mer, seeks some amusement, diversion or recreation outside of
working hours, and he generally finds something of the sort. A
few find it in books and papers, a few in idle gossip, the rigorous
in some game of physical strength, the reckless and indolent in
urinking and smoking, and the steady ones in the peace and quiet
of their homes, be they ever so homely. Bat if two farmers get
together how sombre and melancholy is sure to be their talk. The
danger of a short ci'op is a very handy theme to pitch their tune
by. The terribly bad weather will strain uj) at least one chord
in their harp of a thousand strings so that it is ready to break.
The "catching" rains of harvest time, the "horn and hoof ail", will
always fetch a lugubrious wail from any farmer. And then the
taxes — but I won't dwell on this, for we all grunt heavily and in
perfect accord when that topic looms up before us. And finally,

16

if there be a mortgage on the farm that is reason enough for be-
waihng. For as the word imphes it is a pledge unto death, a-ud
often it is the means of death to not only farmers, but many-
other classes of the community.

But this " down in the mouth " talk and action in
the matter will not help a bad state of things in the
least. To be perpetually thinking of one idea, and run-
ning on one'track, is just the thing which upsets the mental bal-
ance. One kind of food eaten all the while will give awful dys-
pepsia to anybody. And a perpetually blue feeliug about our con-
dition, be it correct or not, will give mental aches that no bodily
pain can even equal. If the mortgage is a hard one, and if crops
have failed, and cattle have died off fearfully, and taxes are in-
sufferably high, the thinking of it, the continual talking about it,
and the fear that something dreadful will come, will not in the
least relieve you. Old Dr. Beecher played his fiddle more than
■usual when pestilence was ravaging his parish. Abraham Lincoln
told funny stories when the whole American nation in doubt and
despair sat down upon him. And if you easily will carry your
hard and heavy heart burdens, you must look away from your-
self, and not all the while think of how badly off you are. Most
of our towns have libraries. Send your children to them and keep
your names always full. When trouble and the common cares
weigh heavily read a cock and bull story, get the book that will
tell the biggest lie, and then get mad that the writer should try to
fool his readers in such a way. Read a love story, absorb it as if
it was good and true. Read what travellei's and adventurers are
doing in all parts of the world'. And again, take much oftener a
day for recreation. Hitch up the horses and take the family at
see something that don't grow on your farm — a museum, plant
house, circus, cheap show, manufactory, or do anything
which will get you out of your home ruts of labor, if you will
keep yourselves from the terrible incubus of melancholy and in-
sanity.

When you tried this day of recreation the last time didn't
the work go on easier and faster after it ? Depend on it, an oc
casional rational holiday — not a drunk, an all-night dance or a
fight — is one of the best safeguards to mental and social health.

17

Every profession Heeds it, but it is greatly to be feared that our
farmers neglect this hygienic measure, much to their own sorrow.
And lastly, as the mightiest safeguard, no profession or occupa-
tion can be so trustful in an all-wise G-od and Father as the farmer.
No occupation can so uniformly secure some results fi'om its labor
as does his who tills the soil. He may, it is true, often be disap-
pointed in the full and rich crop which he had expected, but how
seldom does his labor fail entirely. Compare this with mercan-
tile failures, bank robberies, railroad swindles, and the devastation
by fire. To no other business is such assurance as this given :
" Seed time and harvest, summer and winter shall not fail." This
composure I trust will often be a better panacea for insanity to
the farmer — and, bless His Name, to every one of us — than the
highest skill and knowledge of the physician and psycopathist.

LIST OF PREMIUMS

AWARI>Er) AT THE TWENTY-SIXTH ANNUAL EXHIBITION
OF THE flAMPSHlRE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY.

Class 1 — To^\-:,' Teams. 2 Entries,

Amherst, 15 yoke.s. First j^remiiim,
Hadley, 11

C'lass 2 — Oxen. 4 Entkies.

C. S. Smith, Amherst,
John Ashcraft, Hadley,
George (rreeii, "

Cl.\ss 3 — Trained Oxen. 5 Entries.

A. A. Rankin, Pelham,
L. H. Newell,
Edmund Smith, Hadley,
J. P. Gray. Amherst,

Class 4 — Steers. 3 Entries.

P. West & Sons, Hadley,
J. C. Eeed, Amherst,
Lewis Cowles, Hadley,

Class 5 — Milch Cows. 60 Entries.

Shorthorns.

O. S. Longley, Amherst, $5 00

S. A. Bates, South Hadley, 3 00

A. T. Judd, " , 2 OO

Ayrshires.

W. C. Owen, Amherst, 5 00

$20 00

11 00

$5 00

4 00

3 00

$4 DO

3 00

2 00

1 00

$3 00

2 00

1 00

20

Jeri^eys.

F. D Huntington, Hadley,

(( •<

Native or Grade.

T. H. Hastings, Amherst,
A. A. Rankin, Pelham,
O. S. Loiigley, Amherst,

Class 6 — Heeds of Milch Cows. 5 Entries.

S. A. Bates, Soutli Hadley,

A. T. Judd,

P. West & Sons, Hadley,

Class 7 — Heifers. 13 Entries.

Arthur Needham, Amherst,
Gr. D. Atchiuson, Ludlow,
A. T. Judd, South Hadley,

Class 8 — Bulls. 17 Entries.

Shorthorns.

S. A. Bates, South Hadley,

A. T. Judd,

P. West & Sons, Hadley, gratuity,

Jerseys.

M. F. Dickinson, Amherst,
James A Baker, "

Class 9 — Calves. 1G Entries.

P. West «fe Sons, Hadley, pair of steer calves,

Lewis Cowles, " "

S. A. Bates, South Hadley, bull calf,

W. C. Owen, Amherst,

A. T. Judd, South Hadley,

S. A. Bates, •' heifer calf,

A. T. Judd,

Jonathan Cowles, Amherst, "

5

00

3

00

•i

5

00

3

00

2

00

$5

00

3

00

2

00

$3 00

2

00

1

00

$7

00

5

00

1

00

5

00

3

00

$3

00

2

00

3

00

2

00

1

00

3

00

2

00

1

00

21

Class 10 — Herds of Cattle. 6 Entries.

S. A. Bates, South Hadley,
A. T. Judd,

Jonathau Cowles, Amherst,
•p. West & Sons, Hadley,

Class 11— Swine. 18 Entries.

E. B. Lovett, Amherst, boar,

John M. Smith, Sunderland, boar,

W. C. Owen, ximherst, boar,

John M. Smith, Sunderland, sow and pigs,

P. E. Irish, Amherst,

P. West & Sons, Hadley,

M. L. Hubbard, Sunderland, weaned pigs,

John M. Smith,

Class 12 — Sheep. 25 Entries.
George Green, Hadley, buck,
Oliver Cowles, Amherst, "
John A. Morton, Hadley, "
Thomas Reed, Amherst, "
James Comins, Hadley, ewes,
George Green, " "

John A. Morioij,

George Green, " lambs,

P. D. Hubbard, Sunderland, "
John A. Morton, Hadley,

Class 13 — Poultry. 54 Entries.

Merrick Gallond, Amherst, pair of pigeons,

George T. Dewey,

Henry Nash, " " gratuity,

Minnie Ball,

L. W. Allen, " Asiatic fowls,

Samuel Hastings, " "

Madison Root, " " gratuity,

A. W. Wiley,

R. H. Howard, " Hamburgs, , 2 00

$(5

00

4 00

3

00

2

00

$5

00

3

00

2

00

5

00

3

00

2

00

5

00

3

00

$5

00

4

00

3

00

2

00

5

00

4

00

3

00

3

00

2

00

1

00

$2 00

1

00

1

00

1

00

2

00

1

00

1

00

1

00

22

L. W. Allen, Amherst, Spanish fowls,

Wm. Crocker, Sunderland,
Samtiel Hastings, Amherst
L. W. Allen,
D wight Graves, "

James B. Roberts, "
J. L. Skinner,

Class 14-

2 00

1 00

" gratuity, 1 00

Game fowls, 2 00

display of miscellaneous fowls, 3 00 >^

Golden Seabright Bantams, 2 00

Houdan fowls, 1 00

Plymouth Rock chicks, 1 00

Mechanic Arts. 2G Entries.

Bay State Rake Co., Winchendon

C. O. Pafmenter, Amherst,

E. A. King,

E. T. Sabin,

J. A. Rawson, "

Charleft W. Adams, Hadley,

Marsh & Young, Amherst.
J. A. Rawson, "■

Dwight Graves & Co., "

T. W. Sloan,

E. T. Sabin,

T. E. Muusell, Sunderland,

H. M. McCloud, Amherst,

Nelson Tisdale, "

Thomas Reed, "

Wm. W. Smith,

Mrs. Charles Deuel, "

L. P. Spellman, Westfield,

J. H. Sears, Greenfield,

Frank D. Deuel, Amherst,

horse rake. Diploma

Weed sewing machine,
Prout's horse hoe,
Victor mowing machine, "
silver ware, "

Planet Jr. combined drill

and wheel hoe, "
display of furniture, $8 00
clocks, watches, silver ware, 3 (00
saw-guard, 2 00

samples of hand-turning, 1 00
boots-: and shoes, 2 00

mowing machine ratchet, 2 00
Woods mowing machine, 2 00
blank books and binding, 1 50

steam engine,
seed drill,
harrow,
whip,
tack hammer,
hand rake, **

whip,

Class 15 — Domestic and Other Manufactures. 58 Entries.
INIrs. Polly Shaw, Amherst, embroidered skirt.
Bell Wrigley, hosiery and mittens, 1

Benj. S. Wrigley, rag carpet, 2

Mrs. John Wrigley, skirts.

00

00

00

50

50-

50

25

50
00
GO
50

23

Mrs. Eliza W. Pratt,
Mrs. B. U. Dickiuson,
Almera Shaw,
Sarah Haskins,
Lucia Smith,
Lucy Boice,
Winnie Scott,
Mrs. Geo. S. Kendrick,
Mrs. M. M. Carletou
An^anda Bobbins,
Mrs. E. A. Thomas,
Jennie Dickiuson,
Mrs. Ezra Ingram,
Laura Drew,
Mrs. H. E. Johnson,
Lucia M. Kellogg,
Annie M. Currier,
Mrs. Francis Cowles
Mrs. L. D. Cowles,
Mrs. C. S. Kenfield,
Mrs. H. Belden,
Hattie C. Russei],
Mrs. H. C. Comins,

quilt, affghan and pillow,
rug and hosiery,
chair cover,
bed quilt,

braided dress,

rug,

carriage blanket,
rug,

bed spread,
afl'ghan,
knit bed spread,

r"g>

breakfast shawl,
foot rug,
afighan,
bed quilt,
bed spreads,
hosiery,

worsted wristers,
" embroidery,

sacque,
Hadley, socks,
Mrs. E. P. Dickinson, Sunderland, bed quilt,
Mrs. Geo. L. Cooley, " rag carpet,

Annie J. Crocker, " bed spread,

Rumford Chemical Works, Providence, R. I., samples of
their manufactures,

Class 16 — Fancy Articles. 113 Entries
Almera Shaw, Amberst, air castle, mats, etc. ,
Mary Wrigley, tidy,

Mrs. Polly Shaw, air castle,

Sadie A. Dunlap, chair stripe,

Robert D. Cushman, card basket,
Mrs. Frank O. Curtiss, ottoman,
Mrs. O. H. Curtiss, toilet set,
Emily A. Curtiss, tidy.

00
00
50
00
50
50
50
00
50
50
50
00
50
50
50
50
50
50
00
50
50
GO
50
50
00
50

1 00

50
25

25
00
25
00
50
25

Sarah J. Ensiji^n,

lamp mat,

Lucy Fish,

tidy

Mrs. L. A. Bartlett,

ottoman.

Alice A. Dickinson

(C

Carrie Eastman,

shell cottage.

Hattie King,

ottoman,

Minnie Clark,

fawn,

Mrs. rieo, S. Kendrick, tidy,

Jennie Kendrick,

toilet set,

Amy S. Dickinson,

cornicoepia.

Mrs. P. E. Irish,

motto,

Mrs. E.* P. Harris,

sofa pillow,

Mrs. N. Park,

tidies,

Lucia M. Kellogg,

((

Mrs. Francis Cowles,

, rag bag,

Jennie L. Cowles,

tidy,

Mrs. C. S. Kenfield,

slippers and cushion,

24

50
25
25
50
2 00,

25
1 00
25
50
25
50
50
50
50
25
25
1 25

Mrs. lie wis B. Cowles, Hadley, tidy, 25

Mrs. S. W. Boutwell, Lereretl, stuffed birds, 50

Class 17 — Fine Arts. 8 Entries.

Ella C. King, Amherst, oil paintings, crayon portraits, etc.,
Sadie Russell, cross.

Class 18 — Bread. 17 Entries.

Mrs. S. S. Hibbard, Hadley, wheat bread,
Mrs. J. M. Smith, Amherst, "

Mrs. S. W. Boutwell, Leverett, "

" " rye bread,

Mrs. Joseph Dickinson, Amherst, "

Mrs. James Comins, Hadley, "

Mrs. S. W. Boutwell, Leverett, rye and Indian bread,
Mrs. Joseph Dickinson, Amherst,
Mrs. James Comins, Hadley, "

Mrs. S. W. Boutwell, Leverett, graham bread,
Mrs. Mary Brooks, Amherst, '*

9

00

1

00

2

00

1

00

50

2

00

1

00

50

2

00

1

00

50

2

00

1

00

25

Ci,A8s 19 — Butter and Cheese. 12 Entries.

Mrs. S. S. Hibbard, Hadley. butter, 4 00

Mrs. Asa Adams, Amherst, " 3 00

Mrs. A. A. Rankin, Pelham, " 2 00

Mrs. Joseph Dickinson, Amherst, butter, 1 00

Mrs. Isaac King, " cheese, 4 00

Mrs. James Comins, Hadley, " 3 00

Prescott Cheese Factory, Prescott, " 2 00

Mrs. F. B. Paige, .' «< 1 oo
Class 20 — Honey, Wines, Jellies, .Canned and Dried Fruits,
Maple Sugar and Syrup. 12 Entries.

Mrs. H. C. Comins, Hadley, 4 00

Mrs. P. D. Hubbard, Sunderland, 3 00

Mrs. J. L. Skinner, Amherst, 2 00

Geo. L. Batchelder, Sunderland, 1 00

Class 21 — Fruits. 49 Entries.

W. L. Warner, Sunderland, miscellaneous fruits, 4 00

W. A. King, Amherst, " 3 00

H. C. Comins, Hadley, " 2 00

L. S. Nash, Amherst, " 1 00

Willie H. CominB, Hadley, basket of assorted fruits, 3 00

Winnie M. Dillon, Amherst, " 2 00

W. A. King " apples, (220 varieties), 4 00

H. C. Comins, Hadley, " 3 00

L. S. Nash, Amherst, " 2 00

D. S. Cowles, Hadley, ^ " 1 00

E. H. Judd, South Hadley, pears, 4 00
L. S. Nash, Amherst, " 3 00
D. S. Cowles, Hadley, " 2 00
J. W. Allen, Amherst, " 1 00
W. L. Warner, Sunderland, grapes, 4 00
D. S. Cowles, Hadley, " 3 00
L. S. Nash, Amherst, " 2 00
W. A. King, " " 1 00
James B. Roberts, Amherst, quinces, 2 GO
Chester Cowles, " " 1 00

26

Hubert L. Clark, Amherst, peaches,
L. S. Nash,

•John S. Cowles, Hadley, crab-apples,
L. S, Nash, Amherst, "

Edmund Hastings, Amherst, cranberries,
A. A. Rankin, Pelham, "

2 00
1 00
1 00

50
1 00

50

Class 22 — Vegetables, Seeds, Grains and Roots. 128 Entries.

W. L. Warner, Sunderland, collection, $3 00

H. C. Comins, Hadley, " 2 00

Thomas W. Smith, Amherst, largest variety of potatoes, 2 00

H. C. Comins, Hadley, "

James B. Roberts, Amherst, best peck of potatoes,

P. H. Irish, " peck of potatoes.

E. H. Judd, South Hadley,

James B. Roberts, Amherst, onions,

W. L. Warner, Sunderland, "

H. C. Comins, Hadley, carrots,

W. L. Warner, Sunderland, carrots,

James Comins, Hadley, parsnips,

H. C. Comins,

James Comins, " flat turnips,

H. C. Comins,

H. C. Comins, " ruta bagas,

James Comins, " "

W. L. Warner, Sunderland, beets,

H. C. Comins, Hadley, "

H. C. Comins, " tomatoes,

Wm. Eastman, Amherst, "

W^. L. Warner, Sunderland, collection of beans,

Thomas W. Smith, Amherst, "

Thomas W. Smith, " best peck of beans,

James B. Roberts, " peck of beans,

W. L. Warner, Sunderland, winter squashes,

Thomas W. Smith, Amherst, "

H. C. Comins, Hadley, cabbages,

James Comins, " pumpkins.

gratuity,

1

00

2

00

00

00

00

00

00

50

00

50

00

50

00

50

00

50

00

50

00

50

00

50

00

00

2

00

2

00

27

H. C. Comins, Hadley. pumpkins,
P. D. Hubbard, Sunderland, sweet corn,
W. L. Warner,

Curtis R. Smith, Amherst, seed com,
Thomas W. Smith,

James Comius, Hadley, winter wheat,
D. B. Crocker, Sunderland, "
James Comins, Hadley, spring wheat,
Daniel Cowles, " rye,
James Comins, " "

oats,
" " grass seed,

Mrs. S. W. Boutwell, Leverett, collection of flowers and

" " vegetable seeds,

L. W. Goodell, Belchertown,

Class 23 — Flowers. 11 Entries.

Mrs. S. W. Boutwell, Leverett, collection, $5 00

L. W. Goodell, Belchertown, " 3 00

asters, 2 00

Jlrs. S. W. Boutwell, Leverett, ' 1 00

dahhas, 1 00

wild flowers, 2 00

Willie H. Comins, Hadley, wreath, 1 00

Mrs. S. W. Boutwell, Leverett, everlastings, 1 50

L. W. Goodell, Belchertown, flox drummondi, 1 00

" '• coxcombs, 50

George L. Batchelder, Sunderland, trees, 1 00

1

00

2

00

1

00

2

00

1

00

2

00

1

00

2

00

2

00

1

00

2

00

2

00

2

00

1

00

28
Massachusetts Agricultural College Scholarship.

Ill 1874 the followiug premiums were offered, viz. :
For the Students in the towns of Eastern Hampshire county,
inckiding Hatfield, and the towns of Sunderland, Leverett,
Shutesbury and Montague in Frankhn County, who shall enter
the Freshman Class of the Massachusetts Agricultural College, in
the college year commencing in September, 1874, who shall make
the greatest improvement in all branches, including deportment,
during the college year, two premiums, S30, $20.

The following awards were made by the committee ami the
premiums have been paid, vir. :

Charles O. Lovell, Amherst, $30 00

W. L. Boutwell, Leverett, $20 00

NEW MEMBERS-1875.

Thomas H. Hastings, Amherst.

Dwight Graves, "

Woodbridge A. King, "

Thomas W. Smith,

Mrs. Chas. S. Smith,

Mrs. Francis I. Cowles, "

Mrs. J. L. Skinner,

Miss Ella C. King,

Mrs. James Comins, Hadley.

George Green, "

B. N. Fish, Sunderland.

DISTRIBUTION OF PKEMIUMS.

NAMES OF TOWNS RECEIVING PREMIUMS AND GRATUITIES,
AND AMOUNT PAIL) TO EACH.

NAME OF TOWN.

NO. OF ENTRIES.

AMOUNT PAID.

Amherst,

447

$343 75

Hadley,

108

136 25

South Hadley,

34

50 00

Sunderland,

42

47 00

Leverett,

16

39 50

Pelham, *

11

12 50

Northampton,

3

3 00

Ludlow,

1

2 00

Providence, R. I.,

4

1 00

Prescott,

3

1 00

Westfield,

1

50

Greenfield,

1

50

Belchertown,

6

Palmer,

3

Springfield,

3

Winchendou,

1

Whately,

1

17 685 $637 00

Number of persons to whom premiums and gratuities were paid, 175
Number of premiums and gratuities paid, 387

TREASURER'S REPORI\

J. L. SKINNER, TreasupvEu, in account with Hampshire Agricul-
tural Society.

1875.
To Balance on band. Report of 1874,
Cash received of State Treasurer,
" Life ]i£embers,

" Entrance Fees and Admission,

" Dividend on Insurance,

Donations to the Society,

Dr.

$24G 40

600 00

42 50

453 60

7 50

131 69

r5.

$1,481 69

18^

Cr.

By cash paid on note at Savings Bank,

$100 00

for interest.

83 95

' Insurance, for three years,

60 00

' Premiums,

637 00

' Special premiums.

245 00

' Labor, repairs, and incidental

expenses, 120 82

' Printiog and advertising,

48 80

' N. S. Beebe, for dinners,

40 00

' Amherst House bill,

19 00

' Postage and express.

9 36

' Band expenses.

15 00

Secretai'y and Treasurer,
Total expenditures,

75 00

$1,453 93

Cash

on hand.

27 76

$1,481 69

I have examined the foregoing account, with vouchers for the
same, and find it correct. O. G. COUCH, Auditor.

STATEMENT

SHOWING THE CONDITION OF THE SOCIETY.

Notes at Amherst Savings Bank, $1,100 00

BiUs that must be paid before the
next Annual Fair,
Interest due Jan. 1, 1876, $40 15

Interest due July 1, 1876, 40 15

M. A. C. Scholarship, due July, 1876, 50 00

Printing Annual Report and adver-
tising Annual Meeting, 47 59
Expense of Diplomas (estimated), 12 00

$189 89
Cash on hand, 27 76

162 13
$1,262 13

TRANS ACTIO MS

OF XUE

Hauipsliire Agricultural JSociety

AMHEKST, MASS.,

FOR TIIK YEAR 1ST7.

AMHERST :
McCLOUD & WILLIAMS, BOOK AND JOB rEIXTEE3.

1877.

TRANS ACTIO NTS

OF THE

Hampshire Agricultural Society

or

AMHERST, MASS.,

FOR THE YEAR 1877.

AMHERST :
McCLOUD & WILLIAMS, BOOK AND JOB PRINTERS.

1877.

OFFICERS FOR 1877.

President.
FLAVEL GAYLORD, of Amherst.

Vice-President,
W. L. WARNER, of Sunderland.

Secretary and Treasurer,
EDWARD E. WEBSTER, of Amherst.

Executive Committee,

E. F. COOK, OP Amherst,
LEWIS W. WEST, OF Hadley,
ASAHEL GATES, of Pelham,
C. W. THURBER, of Leverett,
S. A. BATES, OF South Hadley.

Auditor,
D. W. PALMER, OF Amherst.

Member of the State Board op Agriculture,
H. C. COMINS, OF Hadley.

SECRETARY'S REPORT.

The outlook for the Executive Committee of our Society at the
commencement of the present year was not altogether pleasant.
The fence enclosing the Park was badly out of repair, and nearly all
blown over by the heavy winds. The Hall needed sliingling, and
other repairs. The old Secretary, who had hitherto taken a large
share of the responsibility upon himself, had gone, but the Committte
are to be commended for the care, perseverance and economy with
which they have managed the affairs of the Society.

A change was brought about in the time for holding our Annual
Exhibition, but unfortunately, the same days were selected upon
which the Agricultural Fair was holden at Palmer. This seemed in
a measure a source of regret, as it deprived us of many entries from
Palmer, Springfield, and towns in that vicinity, and undoubtedly the
amount of money taken at the gate was much less on this account.
We trust that this difficulty will be removed before our next Annual
Fair.

The weather, which it has been the custom of the Secretaries of
this Society to comment upon in their report, with a sort of despair of
ever having two good days during the Exhibition, was remarkably
clear and bright. The dust was laid by the rain of the niglit before
the opening of the Exhibition, leaving the track good and the air
cool and comfortable.

The fine display in the Hall and upon the grounds, indicated that
the interest so encouragingly spoken of in the Secretary's report of
last year, had not in the least abated,. and the interest manifested in
the examination of exhibits, encouraged us that the higher aims and
purposes of the Society were being secured ; that those in attendance
sought not only pleasure, but knowledge and advancement in those
arts which beautify and enlighten our hoaaes, and add pleasure and

profit to our daily toil, whether in the kitchen, garden, workshop or
on the farm. People were social, genial and hearty, and every one
seemed to return home well pleased.

The plan for securing speakers so universally approved last year,
was again adopted. Dr. Edward Hitchcock of Amherst College,
Hebron Vincent, Esq., of Edgartown, delegate from the State Board
of Agriculture, and President Clark, of Mass. Agricultural College,
were invited to add to the occasion with after dinner speeches.
President Clark gave an interesting account of farmers and farming
in Japan and in the West, replete with profitable suggestions to farm-
ers of Western Massachusetts. Dr. Hitchcock and Mr. Vincent
made brief remarks, President Gaylord and Vice-President Warner
spoke respecting the Society and its benefits, Mr. Warner character-
izing the exhibitioil of this year the most successful yet held. Con-
sidering the heavy expenditures for repairs and the hard times,
financially the Society has met Avith success the past year, and com-
pares very favorably in its condition with other Societies of the same
character.

EDWARD E. WEBSTER, Secretary.

BY-LAWS

OF THE

HAMPSHIRE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY.

Article 1. The officers of this Society shall be one President,
a Vice-President, a Secretary and Treasurer, and nn Executive Com-
mittee of five, to be chosen by ballot, at the annual meeting, and to
serve one year, and until others are chosen in their stead.

Art. 2. The President shall preside at all meetings of the
Society, and in his absence the Vice-President.

Art. 3. The Secretary shall keep a true record of all the doings
of the Executive Committee and the Society.

Art. 4. The Treasurer shall keep an account of all moneys
received into and paid out of the treasury. His accounts shall
always be open to inspection by any member of the Society, and he
shall give bonds, in such sum as shall be designated by the Executive
Committee, for the faithful discharge of his duties, and he shall make
an annual report, previously audited.

Art. 5. It shall be the duty of the Executive Committee to call
special meetings of the Society, and upon the reque&t of not less
than ten members from each of four diiferent towns they shall call
such meetings ; to designate the ti^ne and place of annual exhibitions,
and make all necessary arrangements therefor ; to appoint sub-com-
mittees for examination and to award premiums ; and to have a
general supervision over the funds and affairs ot the Society. The
President, Vice-President and Secretary shall be members of the
Executive Committee.

Art. 6. The annual meeting of the Society shall be held on the
last Wednesday of December each year, and twenty members shall
constitute a quorum to do business.

Art. 7. Notices for all meetings of the Society shall be signed
by the President and Secretary, and published in some newspaper in
the county, or circuhited by handbills, or in any other manner that
may be designated by the Executive Committee.

Art. 8. Any male person may become a life member by paying
to the Treasurer the sum of five dollars, and any female by the pay-
ment of two dollars and fifty cents.

Art. 9. All premiums not called for within six weeks after the
same are awarded sliall be paid into the treasury and be considered
as presented to the Society.

Art. 10. These By-Laws may be amended or altered by a ma-
jority of the members present at any legal meeting.

LIST OF PREMIUMS

AWARDED AT THE TWENTY-EIGHTH ANNUAL EXHIBITION
OF THE HAMPSHIRE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY.

Class 1 — Town Teams. 3 Entries.*

Hadlev, 16 yokes, First Premium.

Amherst, 23 yokes, Second Premium.
Leverett, 8 yokes.

Class 2 — Oxen. 9 Entries.

C. W. Thurber, Leverett, g5 00

John O. Ashcraf't, Hadley, 4 00

Edmund Smith, " 3 00

Horace Belden, Amherst, 2 00

Class 3 — Trained Oxen. 3 Entries.

A. Gates, Pelham, $3 00

S. F. Dudley, Shutesbury, 2 00

Class 4 — Steers. 11 Entries.

Isaac King, Amherst, 3 years old, $3 00

Nathan Dudley, Leverett, " 2 00

J. Rice & Son, " '• 1 00

A. Gates, Pelham, 2 years old, 3 00

P. West & Son, Hadley, " 2 00

Class 5 — Milch Cows. 20 Entries.

Shorthorns.

S. A. Bates, So. Hadley, $4 00

*An award of $1.00 was given for each yoke.

S. A. Bates, So. Hadley,

W. C. Owen, Amherst,

■Ayrshire.

Native or Grade.

Albert Clark, Amherst,
F. O. Curtiss, "

Class 6 — Herds of Milch Cows. 3 Entries.

S. A. Bates, So. Hadley,
Wm. E. McQuillan, Hadley,
J. O. Ashcraft, "

Class 7 — Heifers. 22 Entries.

S. A. Bates, So. Hadley,

Chester Smith, Hadley,

Henry O. Bragg, Amherst,

S. A. Bates, So. Hadley, Gratuity for twin heifers.

W. C. Owen, Amherst,
Wm. E. McQuillan, Hadley,
Edmund Smith, "

M. L Hubbard, Sunderland,
P. West & Son, Hadley,
Stetson Hawley, Amherst,

Class 8 — Bulls. 8 Entries.

Ayrshire,

Jersey,

u
Short Horn,

Gratuity,

S. A. Bates, So. Hadley,
S. A. Bates, "

Flavel Gaylord, Amherst,
David Pomeroy, "
S. A. Bates, So. Hadley,
J. P. Smith, Amherst,

Class 9— Calves. 14 Entries.
Bull,

Heifer,

3 00
2 00

$4 00
3 00
2 00

$4 00
3 00

15 00
4 00
3 00

$3 00
2 00
1 00
1 00

$4 00
2 00

4 00
2 00

5 00
1 00

$3 00

2 00

1 00

3 00

2 00
1 00

9

Class 10 — Herds ok Cattle. 4 Entries.

S. A. Bates, So. Iladley,
Wm. E. McQuillan, Hadley,
Johu O. Ashoraft, "

Class 11 — Swine. 19 Entries.

Smith Harding, So. Deerfield, Boar,

E. N. Smith, Sunderland, "

E, B. Lovett, Amherst, "

J. E. Qoodnow, Millers' Falls, Sow and pigs,

C. K. Smith, Sunderland, ''

E. F. Wiley. " "

Wm. E. McQuillan, Hadley, Weaned pigs,

C. K. Smith, Sunderland, "

John A. Morton, Hadley, "

Class 12 — Sheep. 13 Entries.

John A. Morton, Hadley,
John A. Morton, "
Wm. E. McQuillan, "
Henry Green, "

Wm. E. McQuillan, "
John A. Morton, "
George Green, "

John A. Morton, "

Rams,

Ewes,

L. W. Allen,
L.W.Allen,
L. W. Allen,

Samuel Hastings, "

Samuel Boltwood, "

Samuel Hastings, "

R. H. Howard, "

Samuel Hastings, "

Willie F. Bragg, "

George Graves, "
A. W. Hale, Hadley,

Lambs,
Class 13 — Poultry. 42 Entries.

Amherst,

Pigeons,

I. i

Asiatics, •

Spanish, ,

I.

Hamburgs,
Plymouth Rocks,
Game,

$6 00
5 00
4 00

$5 00
3 00

2 00
5 00

3 00

2 00
5 00

3 00
2 00

$5 00

4

00

3

00

2

00

5

00

4

00

3

00

3

00

51

00

50

2

00

1

00

2

00

1

00

2

00

1

00

2

00

1

00

2

00

10

Samuel Boltwood,

Amherst,

Game,

81 00

A. W. Hale,

Hadley,

Other breed,

2 00

W. V. Hawks,

Amherst,

Geese,

2 00

W. J. Seelye,

a

Ducks,

2 00

B. Page,

Pelham,

it

1 00

L. W. Allen,

Amherst,

Display of miscellaneous fowls

,2 00

Samuel Hastings,

It

(( ((

2 00

Samuel Boltwood,

u

(( it

1 00

Wm. D. Crocker,

Sunderland, Miscellaneous poultry.

2 00

Frank A. Bragg,

Amherst,

(t

1 00

Wm. E. Stone,

a

(t

1 00

Roswell Matthews

11

((

1 00

F. Grossman,

li

((

1 00

Class 14 — Mechanic Arts and Farm Implements. 31 Entries.

Marsh & Young, Amherst, Chamber set, etc.. Diploma.

Vt. Farm Machine Co., Bellows Falls, Vt. Oscillating

churn and portable creamer,
A. Bartholomew, West Springfield, Seed and Plaster Sower,
McCloud & Williams, Amherst, Specimens of printing and

binding,
J. W. Hobart, " Swivel plow,

W. W. Hunt, " Stoves, ranges, pump, etc.,

H. F. Watts, Hadley, Improved Buttress,

E. T. Sabin, Amherst, Horse rake and harrow,

H. C. Haskell, Deertield, Mowing machine.

Belcher & Taylor, Chicopee Falls, Swivel plow.

Class 15 — Domestic and other Manufactures. 28 ENTRiES.

Almera Shaw,

Amherst, Rag carpet.

Mrs. Belle Wrig%,
Mrs. Belle Wrigley,
Mrs. Belle Wrigley,
Mrs. Henry Shaw,
Mrs. Hannah Shaw
Hattie F. Eaton,
Mrs. S. S. Dickinson,
Mrs. J. L. Lovell,

Gent's hose,
Mittens,
Bed quilt.

Rag carpet,
Bed quilt,

$2 00

1 00

50

75

50

50

50

3 00

1 00

M. A. Spaulding, Amherst,
Mrs. James Crosier, "
Chas. Deuel, "

Mrs. Prof. Clark,
Mrs. H. C. Corains, Hadley,

11

Embroidered skirt.
Silk bed quilt,
Oue case.
Bed spread.
Hose,

'' " Mitteus,

• " " Wristlets,

" " I^wg,

Mrs. M. A. Souires, Amherst, Kugs,
Emma Allen, " Pillow Shams,

Mrs. E. P. Dickinson, Sunderland, Bed Spread,
Mrs. F. P. Ainsworth, Amherst, Bed quilts,
M. L. Dana, Amherst, Bed spread,

Mrs. Alice Chandler, "

Mrs. H. E. Smith, Hadley, Counterpane,

Mrs. S. A. Thayer, Belchertovvn, Rag carpet,

Class 16 — Fancy Articles. 106 Entries.

2

00

3

00

1

00

3

00

75

5)

25

1

00

1

50

75

50

2

00

75

50

2

00

75

L. H. Pomeroy,

Amherst.

, Swiss clock.

$1 00

Almera Shaw,

I i

Tidies,

25

a,

Mottoes,

25

a

Towel racks.

25

it,

Toilet set.

25

a

Letter cases,

25

a

Card cases,

25

a

Pictures frames.

25

i i

Hair receivers,

25

((

Infant's socks.

25

ii,

Thimble cases,

25

a

Mats,

25

u

Stand spreads.

25

a

Air castle.

25

Mrs. Belle

Wrigley,

a

Toilet set,

25

Mrs. E. A.

Davis,

a

Tidy,

50

Mrs. L. W

. Beaman,

a

I (

25

Abbie Stockbridge,

a

Toilet set and sofa pillow.

50

Maggie Tliompson,

i i

Curtains,

60

Mrs. H. H,

, Goodell,

a

Mat,

1 25

12

Mrs. Richardson,

Nellie Smith,

Mrs. M. M. Merchants,

Minnie Ball,

Hattie King,

Hattie Eaton,

Mrs. Alice Chandler,
Mrs. O. F. Morse,
Amy Dickinson,
Amelia Dickinson,
Jennie Dickinson,
Henry Adams,
George W. Sykes,
Ella L. Pierce,
Amelia L. Pierce,
Clara Sykes,
Mrs. Henry Hawley,
Charles Deuel,
Mrs. E. W. Smith,

Mrs. F. H. Howes,

Mrs. E. E. Webster,
D. S. Palmer,
Lucy Boice,
Mrs. J. D. Miller,
Jennie Cowles,
Fannie Cowles,
Mrs. H. C. Comins,
A. M. Bardwell,
Bertie Irish,
L. A. Diew,

Amherst

Embroidered stripe,

1 00

•'

Work basket,

25

I ;

Cornucopia, etc.,

50

ii,

Mottoes,

25

C(

Pin cushion.

25

i (

Bread basket.

25

a

Pillow shams.

. 25

i i

Tidies,

25

a

Letter case,

25

i.i

Tidy,"

25

ii-

Mats,

25

li

i. i

. 25

"

Tidy,

25

'■'■

Case of fancy articles.

1 00

i L

Pin cushion,

25

it

Tidy,

50

(.i

Toilet set.

25

ii

Card case,

25

((

Sofa pillow.

25

i i

Cases,

1 50

11

Ottoman,

25

;c

Pin cushion.

25

i i

Infant's afghan,

25

ii

Silk embroidery,

25

''

((

25

a

Chair stripe,

50

a

Sofa pillow,

25

a

Ottoman,

25

a

Toilet cushion,

75

a

Lace ties,

25

a

Tidy,

35

i i

Case of millinery.

2 00

i i

Handkerchief box.

25

a

Motto,

25

Hadley,

Ornamental Avork,

25

-Amherst,

Sample of stamping.

25

Ik

Bracket^^,

50

i i

Mat, '

25

IS

L. A. Drew, ' Amherst,

Mrs. Warren Hawley, Hadley,
Laura Hawley, "

Mrs. Wm. Gray, "

Mrs. M. A. Squires, "

John A. Dickinson, Amherst

Mrs. S. W. Boutwell, Leverett,

J. M. Smith, Amherst,

Mrs. L. Bartlett, Hadley,

Grace E. Nash, Amherst,
Lillie Lentell, "

Mrs. H. C. Comius, Iladley,

Mrs. E. P. Hibbard,
J. M. Lee,
E. C. Upton,

Amherst,

Eliza Graves, "

Flora Bigelow, "

Class 17— Fine .

Nellie Bassett, Amherst,

it, a a

Arthur E. Davis, "

Mrs. John Dole, "

Breakfast shawl.
Stand spread,
Tidies,
Tidies,

Lamp screen.
Case of pond lillies,
Ottoman cover.
Chair seat.
Card case.
Stuffed birds.
Tidy,
Tidy,

Pin cushion,
Motto,
Door mat,
Holders,
Mat,

Sofa pillow,
Tidy,

Picture frame.
Pair stools,
Foot rest,
Pillow shams,
A.RTS. IG Entries.

Oil painting,

Crayon Drawing,

Profile cut,

Decorated pottery.

" " perfume jar

" Painting on glass,

'' Permanent photos.,

" Photographs,

" Pen drawing,

" Oil painting.

Class 13 — Bread. 18 Entries.
Mrs. Benjamin Wrigley, So. Hadley, Wheat bread,

Mrs. H. C. Comius, Hadley, ^ "

J. L. Lovell,

E. E. Webster,
G. L. Owen,

25

75
75
40
25
25
35
25
40
25
50
50
25
25
26
25
25
50
25
25
00
00
75

52 00

1 00

50

50

50

50

1 50

1 00

1 00

3 00

52 uO
1 00

14

Mrs. M. L. Hubbard,
Mrs. H. C. Corains,
Mrs. S. W. Boutwell,
Ada Marsh,
Mrs. H. C. Comius,
Mrs. S. W. Boutwell,
Mrs. Beujamiu Page,

Sunderland,
Hadley,
Leverett,
Hadley,

Leverett,
Pelham,
' " " Gratuity

Class 19 — Butter and Cheese.

Mrs. J. P. Smith,

Mrs. P. D. Hubbard,

Mrs. M. L. Hubbard,

Mrs. Asa Adams,

Mrs. S. S. Dickinson,

Mrs. E. P. Dickinson,

Mrs. Warreu Hawley,

Mrs. E. P. Pomeroy, "

Class 20 — Honey. Wines, etc

Mrs. P. D. Hubbard, Sunderland,

Mrs. H. C. Comins,

Mrs. E. P. Dickinson,

Mrs. Belle Wrigley, "

Mrs. Wm. Dickinson, "

Class 21— Feuits

Amlierst,

Sunderland,

( (

Amherst,
a

Sunderland,
Amherst,

Hadley,
Amherst,

Rye bread,

a it,

Rye and Indian,

Graham,

13 Entries.
Butter,

a

Cheese,

((

16 Entries.

F. B. Paige,

E. A. Munsell,
W. A. King,

D. S. Cowles,
Abbie Stockbridge,
Willie H. Comius,
Mrs. H. C. Comins,
W. A. King,

F. B. Paige,

E. A. Munsell,
H. C. Comins,
Edwin H. Judd,

52 Entries.

Prescott, Miscellaneous collection,
Amherst, " "

Hadley,

Amherst,

Hadley,

Basket of fruit,

Amherst, Apples,
Prescott, "

Amherst, "

JIadley, "

So. Hadley, Pears,

2 00

1 00
50

2 00
1 00

50

1 00

50

$4 00

3 00

2 00

1 00

4 00

3 00

2 00
1 00

S4 00

3 25

1 50

25

25

$4 00
3 00

2 00

1 00

3 00

2 00

1 00

4 00

3 00

2 00
1 00

4 00

15

D. S. Cowles,

Hadley,

Pears,

3 00

E. A. Munsell,

Amherst,

c;

2 00

J. P. Gray,

a

a

1 00

D. S. Cowles,

Hadley,

Grapes,

3 00

F. B. Paige,

Prescott,

1. b

2 00

James B. Roberts,

Amherst,

Quiuce,

2 00

Y). S. Cowles,

Hadley,

Peaches,

1 00

W. A. King,

Amherst

li

50

Franklin King,

a

Crab apples.

1 00

A. Gates,

Pelham,

Cranberries,

1 00

Baujamin Page,

ki

k 1.

50

Class 22-

—Vegetables, etc. 132 Entries.

J

W. L. Warner,

Sunderland,

Collection,

$5 00

n. C. Comius,

Hadley,

C(

3 00

C. S. Smith, '

Amherst,

cc

2 00

Benjamin Page,

Pelham,

i c

1 00

W. L. Warner,

Sunderland,

Onions,

1 00

cc cc

"

Parsnips,

1 00

ii a

cc

Beets,

1 00

(C ((

cc

('

50

(C u

cc

Beans, 72 varieties,

1 00

cc tc

c:

Squashes,

2 00

cc cc

cc

Pumpkins.

1 00

cc cc

c;

Sweet corn,

2 00

cc cc

cc

"

1 00

(c cc

cc

P^lat turnips,

1 00

cc cc

cc

Potatoes.

50

James Comius,

Hadley,

Spring wheat,

2 00

(c cc

cc

Pumpkins,

1 00

cc tc

"

Flat turnips,

50

James B. Roberts,

Amlierst,

Potatoes,

roo

A. Gates,

Pelham,

cc

1 00

Chas. Fales,

"

Beans,

50

H. C. Comins,

Hadley,

Cabbages,

1 00

cc

<c

Onions,

1 00

cc

"

Carrots,

1 00

cc

cc

Seed corn,

1 00

16

II. C. Comitis,

Hadley,

Rutabagas,

1 00

cc

a

Winter squash.

1 00

u

"

Potatoes,

1 00

p. D. Hubbard,

Sunderland,

Winter wheat,

1 00

C. S. Smith,

Amherst,

Seed corn.

2 00

cc

"

Potatoes, (col.)

2 00

(C

(C

((

1 00

(C

.c

Beans, 82 varieties,

50

tc

a

Carrots,

50

Benjamin Page,

Pelham,

Cabbages,

1 00

(C

"

Parsnips,

50

I(

<c

Rutabages,

50

F. H. Williams,

Sunderland,

Beans,

1 00

S. F. Cooley,

Iladley,

Wheat,

200

Class

23 — Flowers.

24 Entries.

L. W. Goodell,

Amherst,

Collection,

$5 00

Mrs. S. W. Boutwell,

a

a

3 00

Mrs. J. P. Gray,

a

k«

2 00

i (.

li

Asters,

2 00

L. W. Goodell,

it

4 (

1 00

((

a

Dahlias,

2 00

Mrs. S. W. Boutwell,

Leverett,

li

1 00

L. W. Goodell,

Amherst,

Verbenas,

2 00

Mrs. J. P. Gray,

1. i

( (

1 00

Mrs. S. W. Boutwell,

Leverett,

Wild flowers.

2 00

Delia Fisher,

Amherst,

C4

1 00

L. W. Goodell,

i i

Gladioli,

2 00

Willie H. Comius,

Hadley,

Gratuity,

1 00

Class

24 — Stallions

5 Entries.

Fj. M. Talbott,

Northampton,

$10 00

J. C. Cameron,

Greenfield,

6 00

W. C. Owen,

Amherst,

4 00

Class 25 — Breeding Mares With C^lts. 6 Entries

John C. Dillon,

Amherst,

$5 00

E. A. Stanley,

it

4 00

17

Alden Graves,

Sunderland,

3 00

D. A. Horton,

Hadley,

2 00

Class

26 — Colts and Fillies.

14 Entries.

E. C. Clapp,

Northampton, 3 year old stallion,

$i 00

A. Adams,

Amherst, "

" gelding or filly,

3 00

W. C. Owen,

a n

( >' a c c

2 00

Alden Graves,

Sunderland,

11 a a

1 00

P. D Hubbard,

2

a a a

3 00

H. M. Clark,

.:

" colt.

2 00

Sanford Boice.

Amherst, "

a it

1 00

Edmund Smith,

Hadley, 1

u

3 00

P. D. Hubbard,

Sunderland, "

u .c

2 00

K. Hubbard,

a a

(( ii

1 00

Class 2

'7 — Farm Horses. 5 Entries.

E. H. Judd, So. Hadley,

H 00

S. F. Cooley, Hadley,

3 00

C. A. Hyde, Amh

erst,

2 00

Class :

28 — Carriage Horses.

17 Entries.

Alonzo Crafts,

Whately, Pair,

$8 00

Samuel Boltwood,

Amherst, "

6 00

A. Hubbard,

Sunderland, "■

4 00

C. L. Holland,

Belchertown, "•

3 00

S. F. Hagar,

Greenfield, Single,

6 00

P. Bridgman,

Belchertown, "'

4 00

Dr. J. J. Vincent,

Amherst, "

3 00

F. 0. Curtiss,

U .(

2 00

Class 29 — Roadsters. 7

Entries.

C. E. Mosier,

So. Deerfield,

$5 00

T. T. Sisson,

Amherst,

3 00

DISTRIBUTION OF PREMIUMS.

NAMES OF TOWNS EECEIVING PREMIUMS AND GRATUITIES,
AND AMOUNT PAID TO EACH.

NAME OP TOWN.

NO. OF ENTRIES

NO. OF PREMIUMS.

AMOUNT PAID.

Amherst,

353

180

$246 60

Hadley,

114

65

146 65

Sunderland,

67

33

04 50

So. Hadley,

20

13

41 00

Leverett,

19

10

23 25

Pel ham.

55

13

14 50

Northampton,

3

2

14 00

Greenfield,

4

2

12 CO

Deerfield,

4

2

10 00

Prescott,

7

3

9 00

Whately,

1

1

8 00

Belcher town,

5

3

7 75

Miller's Falls,

3

1

5 00

Shutesbury,

1

1

2 00

Bellows Falls, Vt.,

2

Chicopee,

2

Springfield,

1

17 661 329 $604 25

TREASURER'S REPORT.

Edwakd E. Webster, in account witd Hampshire Agricul-
tural Society.

1877. , Dr.

To cash on hand, RojDort of 1876, $2 42

received of State Ti'casurcr, 600 00

*•' of Life members, 50 00

" entrance fees, for admissions, etc., 687 02

"• of First National Bank, 75 00

" Donations to Society, 108 00

of E. E.Webster, 11 66

1877,

By c

ish paid for interest,

premiums.

special premiums,
" labor, repairs and incidentals,

" printing Report of '76,

printing and advertising '77,
" G. B. Gallond, dinners,

'* First National Bank note,

" postage and express,

" Dr. Rice, old premium,

E. E. Webster,

Total expenditures,
Cash on hand,

1,529 10
I have examined the foregoing account with vouchers for the
same, and find it correct. D. W. PALMER, Auditor.

1,529

10

Cr

$85

76

654

25

320

00

272

46

35

00

38

75

50

00

75

00

4

17

5

00

11

66

1,502

05

27

05

NEW MEMBERS-1877.

C. K. Smith,

J. E. Goodnow.
Albert Clark,
T. D wight Morton,
Nathan Dudley,
Mrs. Mary Smith,
Wm. E. McQuillan,
Miss Nellie L. Bassett, , -
Samuel Boltwood,
Robert H. Smith,

Sunderland.

Miller's Falls.

Amherst.

Hadley.

Leverett.

Amherst.

Hadley.

Amherst.

Amherst.

Amherst.

STATEMENT

SHOWING THE CONDITION OF THE SOCIETY.

Notes at Amherst Savings Bank, $1,100 00

Bills which viust he paid hefore the
next Annual Fair.
Interest due Jan. 1st, 1878,
Interest due July 1st, 1878,
Printing Annual Report and adver-
tising Annual Meeting,
Secretary and Treasurer,

Cash on hand.

Total indebtedness of the Society. 1,263 25

40

15

40

15

35

00

75

00

190

190

30

30

1,290

30

27

05

'<■■/ :ii

'iiiersr

Library