APPENDIX. xxxiii 



implements, fruits, vegetables, and works of art, were ver^- fully 

 represented in the hall. I think this department was trul}' a success.. 



It was thought by many that the exhibition of horses, on the 

 second day, was the best that was ever seen on the Society's grounds. 

 Breeding-mares, with colts b}' their sides, showed that the farmers 

 of Northern Berkshire were pa3'ing particular attention to raising 

 good horses. Of gentlemen's driving-horses, some were very good, 

 as were also some family -horses. 



The Society have labored under many difficulties since their com- 

 mencement. The October flood of 1871 injured their grounds to 

 the extent of several hundred dollars. But the}- have a live set of 

 officers, who are determined to make the Society a success. Their 

 receipts this year were larger than their expenses, which I think 

 cannot be said of any other society in Western Massachusetts. 



Elnathan Graves. 



HOUSATONIC. 



The fair of this Societ}" was held at Great Barrington, September 

 29 and 30 and October 1. 



This being our first visit to this section of the State, we were at 

 once interested and delighted with the romantic country from Pitts- 

 field to the fair-grounds. 



Before entering the grounds we had a view of them from the 

 highway, and witnessed the usual preparations preceding the open- 

 ing. Cattle were arriving, and were also quietly grazing on the 

 grounds. The products of the farm and household, of every descrip- 

 tion, were brought in. The officers and committees were busy with 

 the duties preliminary to the opening, and the people werfe out in 

 force to witness the doings. 



Official duties in connection with another society limited our time 

 here to a few hours, and we entered upon the examination of the 

 display in the Society's hall, a large building, which seemed ample 

 for the accommodation of exhibitors. 



The vegetable department, occupying the basement of the build- 

 ing, was well filled with contributions, comprising the usual variety 

 grown in this climate, and it was a verj' creditable exhibition. The 

 varieties exhibited skill and care in their cultivation, but apparently 

 the want of it in using impure seed, and by showing the largest 

 specimens, instead of those representing the true type of their sort. 

 The best results are not obtained by a show of the largest specimens, 

 but the truest of their respective sorts. 

 5 



