xxviii REPORTS OF DELEGATES. 



DEERFIELD VALLEY. 



The first annual exhibition of the Deerfield Valley Agricultural 

 Society was held at Gharlemont, October 10th and 11th. 



The society was chartered at the last session of the legislature, 

 and entered upon its work with little previous training, except 

 what it had secured in a less imposing manner as an unincorporated 

 body. The grounds selected are a commanding elevation adjoining 

 the village of Charlemont, and they are admirably adapted to the 

 service to which they have been assigned and dedicated. They have 

 been admirably laid out, and furnish excellent accommodations for 

 the fair. 



The interest manifested in the exhibition was great, the farmers 

 of the Deerfield Valley having contributed liberally to the show, 

 and a large concourse of people having gathered to witness it. As 

 an indication of the desire they felt for its prosperity, a long list of 

 patrons, who had subscribed from one dollar to fifty, had been placed 

 in the hands of the officers. 



The collection of cattle was large and valuable, consisting of town 

 teams from Hawley, Buckland and Charlemont ; a good number of 

 yokes #f oxen of various ages, belonging to single exhibitors ; and 

 fine specimens of well-bred and well-selected cows and heifers. So 

 good a reputation do the cattle of this section enjoy, that I found 

 some of the best judges in the State on the ground making selec- 

 tions for their own use. 



Liberal premiums having been* offered for sheep and swine, a 

 good exhibition of those animals had been secured, and a valuable 

 and serviceable collection of horses competed in the various classes 

 for premiums. The products of the dairy, the orchard and the 

 garden and field quite surpassed my expectations ; and I have seen 

 nowhere finer specimens of the handiwork of the farmers' wives 

 and daughters. 



A numerous, attentive, orderly and patient audience gathered on 

 the afternoon of the first day, covering a beautiful slope, devoted to 

 the services of the occasion, to listen to an address on the character 

 and the opportunities of American farming. It was evident that a 

 spirit of inquiry and investigation animated the members of the 

 society and their friends. 



The association has commenced under the happiest auspices, has 

 been organized with great care and skill, and is well deserving the 

 bounty of the Commonwealth. It promises great usefulness to the 

 section of the State which it occupies. Geo. B. Losing. 



