12 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



of Middlesex Husl)andmcn. This name was subsequently 

 changed by the legislature, to the Society of Middlesex Hus- 

 bandmen and ^Manufacturers. 



The Berkshire Society was incorporated in 1811, having 

 been suggested by the exhibition of three merino sheep, in 

 1810, under tlie great elm tree still standing in the public 

 square of Pittsficld. The projector of this Society encountered 

 the opposition and ridicule of all classes of society, from the 

 moment the proposition was made. It was at first viewed 

 by many, even with contempt. Gradually, however, the feel- 

 ings of the people were enlisted in its favor, premiums 

 were offered and awarded, and a large concourse from all parts 

 of the county, increasing rapidly from year to year, showed 

 clearly that something had reached the heart of the community. 

 The Essex, the Worcester, and the Hampshire Franklin and 

 Hampden Societies, were incorporated in 1818, and the 

 Plymouth in 1819. 



It may be remarked that all the County Societies, previous 

 to 1820, suffered much from the unjust criticism and ridicule of 

 the class they were intended to benefit. Thanks to the intel- 

 ligence which our common schools have so widely diffused, 

 farmers are now among the first to appreciate every well meant 

 effort. Under the auspices of the government, which came 

 to the aid of these societies in 1819, so great an impetus has 

 been given to the improvement of our agriculture, that the 

 entire aspect of the State has been changed since then. 



The period of thirty years, succeeding 1790, deserves a 

 passing remark. In it occurred the second war with Eng- 

 land, which produced a general stagnation of business. The 

 unprecedented successes in the East India trade, had cre- 

 ated an unnatural excitement in many parts of the State. 

 Tales of hitherto unlicard of fortune, tempted the young to 

 forsake the country, the plough and the homespun dress, and to 

 look with contempt upon the occu])ation of their fathers. 

 Farming, indeed, had never been made attractive to them. 

 Their fathers had always been half ashamed of it, and they 

 could hardly be expected to feel any regard for it. It had few 

 claims when compared with the occupations whose magnificent 

 results their excited imagination was continually picturing to 



