No. 38 was a model of battening, made by N. L. Murphy of South Berwick. Having never seen anything of this kind before, but judging it, from the specimen exhibited to the committee, to be a cheap and durable mode of building, we award a gratuity of one dollar. A cook stove and cast iron hog's-trough were exhibited, but being made out of the county, could not receive a premium. We think the latter article a good substantial one for the swinish multitude, and would recommend it to our farmers in preference to the old wooden one. No. 109-A spring bed, made by J. H. Pike of South Berwick. This bed is made of hair, and springs inserted similar to a sofa seat. For summer use we consider it very valuable. How it will answer for cold weather we have no means of ascertaining. It was suggested to your committee, however, that it would answer for old bachelors in winter and respectable people in summer. We recommend a gratuity of two dollars. There was a very fine model cottage, made of sea shells, in a very ingenious manner, by that well known caterer to the public taste, the illustrious Ned Clemens, of the "Thornton House Bathing Rooms," and author of moonlight excursions to the Pool. We venture to predict that no other man but Ned could have made such a cottage, and we award him the thanks of the society, and a gratuity of three dollars. A foot stove, by H. C. Gilpatrick of South Berwick—a very neat article. By the use of hot water in a perfectly tight tin box, enclosed in a wooden box, and neatly covered with carpeting, the feet may be kept warm during a long ride on a cold day. We award a gratuity of fifty cents. School house desk and chairs, by William A. McIntire of South Berwick-neat specimen of cabinet work, and well adapted to school houses. A gratuity of two dollars. A pencil drawing. A view of part of Biddeford, by C. G. Burleigh, jr., a lad of 16 years-his first attempt, well executed. A gratuity of fifty cents. Specimen of picket fence, by Thomas Day of Biddefordworthy the notice of all who have much fence to build, and would desire something cheap and durable. Two looking-glass frames from the well known foundry of These castings are of superior Jarvis Williams of Biddeford. style and finish, being perfectly full and smooth, showing that the mechanics of York county are determined to yield to none in point of excellence. We have awarded to Mr. W. a gratuity of $1.50. We also noticed a pair of hubs for cart wheels, from the same foundry, but the committee regret that they were not received in season to be entered. They consider them a superior article for the use intended, and a casting, the mechanical execution of which will suffer in comparison with none. All of which is respectfully submitted, G. W. NICHOLS, for the Committee. OF LADIES' COMMITTEE. Miss A. S. Fairfield, Biddeford, leather needle book,. $0 25 25 25 50 50 1 00 50 75 50 75 25 50 3 00 75 75 Miss Lydia N. Neal, North Berwick, box crayon sketches, Miss Mary Hodgdon, North Berwick, braided mat, Eliza T. Hayes, South Berwick, lamp mat, Sarah F. Bartlett, Eliot, wrought lamp mat, Miss Mary O. Hayes, South Berwick, three oil paintings, 3 00 25 1 00 75 50 Miss Sarah Goodwin, South Berwick, fancy chair, Ellen B. Hammond, six years old, Eliot, mat, Miss Thankful Sargent, Wells, three alum baskets, Miss Lydia Farnum, Wells, shell stand, Mrs. Brackett, patchwork quilt, 50 2 00 25 50 1 00 1.00 YORK SOCIETY. 1851. AN ADDRESS Delivered before the York County Agricultural Society, at their Cattle Show and Fair, held at Biddeford, October 2, 1851, by Dr. E. HOLMES, of Winthrop. Mr. President, and Gentlemen of the York County Agricultural Society: I STAND before you this day in place of a better man who should have addressed you on this occasion; and this must be my apology for venturing to come again in your presence, after having so recently trespassed upon your patience in this same manner. Emboldened, however, by your kindness in this matter, and knowing that the desire to profit by discussion and deliberation of agricultural topics is mutual between us, I feel as if surrounded by a band of brothers, who, while they are willing to grant every indulgence in the expression of sentiment, are equally willing to admit what is true-to overlook all errors, and to pardon what is wrong. Acting in this belief, Mr. President, I will endeavor to present at this time, for your consideration, such ideas in regard to Agriculture, both of a practical and speculative nature, as may seem to be adapted to the circumstances of soil and location which characterize more particularly this section of our State. In the remarks that may be offered, I wish you to heed nothing that may be said which, on the strictest scrutiny, you find does not accord with reason and truth; it being a rule as important in Agriculture as in Religion, to "prove all things and hold fast that which is good." The county of York is perhaps as advantageously situated for prosperity and excellence in all the pursuits of life as any other in the State. She has the three-fold advantages of commercial, agricultural and manufacturing resources. Her sea-coast gives her the advantages of commerce with the whole world. I have no statistics at hand to determine what is your rank in this respect, when compared with the other maritime counties of Maine. But this every one knows; some of the best ships-whether for beauty of style and figurefaithfulness of construction, and durability of material, are launched from your ship-yards-and some of the most intelligent and expert seamen who make their "Home on the ocean wave," hail from the county of York. Your numerous and well conducted manufacturing establish ments, and the abundance of your water power, have placed you in the front rank among the counties of the State, and even of New England in this line of business. And the recent awakening of the spirit of Agriculture and its consequent improvement-while it underlies and sustains the two first named branches of industrial pursuits, is fast placing you the most conspicuous among us. What then is needed to enable you to hold the station already gained, and to advance you steadily and surely on to the point of eminence which your love of usefulness and self-respect lead you to desire? Only three things. These are thought, action, perseverance. It is true that these requisites are essential to success in every department of life, but they are emphatically essential to the success of the farmer. Of all men in the world, none should think more correctly and intently than the farmer-though I grieve to say it, of all men in the world, none do less of it than some farmers. No pursuit in life affords greater or more varied subjects for contemplation, or expands the mind more largely and nobly than Agriculture. The Agriculturist walks and labors continually in the very midst of creative energy. He is an agent in the continuous |