APPENDIX. xxiii 



Specimens of goods were exhibited from the manufactories of 

 North Adams ; fancy articles were numerous ; flowers and fruit 

 were seen in one part of the hall, with carriages and stoves in the 

 opposite. The displaj" of fruit was not large. 



The second day was devoted to horses. The morning was wet ; 

 and at the hour appointed there were but few in attendance. But 

 before noon the park was alive with people and horses. Some fine 

 work-horses were exhibited, as well as pairs, and single trotting- 

 horses. The horse seemed to be the prominent feature of the show. 

 I was told that the cattle-men had been urged to bring up their part 

 of the show, but had failed to manifest an equal enthusiasm with 

 those interested in the horse. 



There is much enterprise in this society ; and the past year has 

 brought in sevent3"-five new members. They have a fine park of 

 twenty acres, with a new barn for the accommodation of horses to 

 be kept through the show. (Why not for cattle also ?) The hall 

 is a little peculiar, being in the form of a cross, 90 by 140 feet, with 

 a speaker's stand in the centre. The third and last da}- a powerful 

 rain set in about eight o'clock, and at ten your delegate left, feeling 

 that nothing more could be done. But before noon it cleared away, 

 and I was told that people assembled in large numbers ; and that 

 the trotting was verj' good. 



Good order prevailed, and the enthusiasm of the officers and 



managers of this society showed that they expected nothing but 



complete successs. 



N. S. Hubbard. 



HOUSATONIC. 



The annual exhibition of the Housatonic Agricultural Society was 

 held at Great Barrington September 25, 26 and 27 ; and as is usual 

 with this society every element that is necessary to make up a first- 

 class cattle-show was there in abundance. The hall, grounds and 

 other appointments will compare favorably with that of any society 

 that I have visited. 



The cattle were mostly grade Shorthorns, and some splendid cows 

 of that class were on exhibition, and by their side were the thorough- 

 bred bulls that begat them, showing beyond a question the great 

 advantage of using thoroughbred males, and the care taken by this 

 society in regard to pedigrees would indicate that the officers were 

 alive to the importance of allowing no deterioration to be encouraged 

 in the blood of these patriarchs of the hei'd. 



Especially noticeable were the herd of beautiful Jerse3's entered 

 b}' Mr. Makie, of Great Barrington, showing in their fine points and 



