REPORTS OF COMMITTEES. 143 



cited the admiration of the numerous spectators. Not being 

 able to remain the second day, I unfortunately missed seeing 

 the ploughing match. 



Respectfully submitted, 



Elisha Huntington. 



HOUSATONIC SOCIETY. 



It is somewhat singular, that in the three years that this 

 Board and its predecessor has sent delegates to the several 

 societies, there has been a failure in every instance, of those 

 accredited to the Housatonic. It has, consequently, fallen to 

 the lot of my Berkshire colleague and myself, alternately, on 

 notice given, not '' the day after the fair," but many days after, 

 to make a note of its transactions. The Housatonic Society is 

 deserving of better treatment. 



This is comparatively a young society. Its members are 

 thorough-going, active farmers and other citizens. They are 

 working men, willing to investigate the principles which lie at 

 the foundation of good culture in all things, and to test the re- 

 sults by the labor of their, own hands. Great Barrington, the 

 place of the annual gathering, is a beautiful village, in the Valley 

 of the Housatonic, directly and easily accessible by railroad, at 

 all times. The exhibitions of the society are always good, and 

 always well attended by the great mass of the people. We are 

 not sufficiently conversant with all parts of the State to speak 

 with certainty, but we doubt whether a society more truly 

 popular, one standing higher in the affections of the whole 

 people, of all ages and employments, can be found in the Com- 

 monwealth. Certainly, very few can be found, in which the 

 liberality of the State produces a return of richer blessings on 

 the whole people. 



This society uses funds with a most laudable economy. The 

 contingent expenses are kept down to a very low point, and 



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