144 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



every dollar made to tell upon the encouragement of beneficial 

 objects. 



The reports of the various committees will show the extent 

 and variety of objects fostered by the society. The premiums 

 in every department are warmly contested. The results of the 

 contest show, beyond all dispute, that mind as well as muscle is 

 active ; that the largest manure heap will not command the 

 largest premium, without skill in using it ; that the man who 

 enters ordinary animals which have " come up " without plan 

 and careful attention to breeding and judicious feeding, and if 

 oxen, matching and training, cannot carry away many " cups or 

 spoons ; " that the day has passed, when comparisons are to be 

 made between spontaneous productions ; but, that the best 

 efforts of nature must be aided by good judgment and judi- 

 cious culture, in order to command the smiles of committees. 



The Housatonic Society, like the old Berkshire, finds full 

 business for two days. All entries are made in the forenoon 

 of the first day. The afternoon is in the hands of the commit- 

 tees, during which all entries are examined, crops excepted. 

 These are previously entered and examined in the field, when 

 as near maturity as may be ; two visits being made, one for the 

 summer, and one for fall crops. At the close of the first day, 

 animals may be removed if their owners wish. 



The ploughing match is the first object on the second day, 

 and calls to the field a great multitude, of both sexes, in car- 

 riages and on foot. The horticultural department, the domestic 

 manufactures, the specimens of taste and skill from the hands 

 of the ladies, the butter and cheese, in which there are often 

 twenty or more competitors, the agricultural and mechanical 

 implements, etc., are open to the inspection of all without 

 fee, the principle being, the greatest facilities for all to see and 

 learn, that they may go away and do likewise. 



At eleven o'clock, the society, and more of the rest of the 

 world than can get within hearing distance, repair to the 

 church, Avhcre the Pilgrim's God is acknowledged as the giver 

 of the sunshine and the shower, and His blessing supplicated 

 for the labors of another year. The annual Address is then 

 given ; after which, the reports — the last anniversary abstracts 

 of reports — read and the premiums, in silver plate, distributed 



