8 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



At no period in the history of the town has there been 

 any special impetus given to its manufticturing interests 

 or productive industries ; consequently its increase in popu- 

 lation has been very slow, although remarkably uniform, the 

 census of 1880 showing a total of 4,658. The manufactur- 

 ing interests of the town are comparatively small, although 

 considerable is done at Housatonic, a villao;e at the northern 

 extremity of the town,''and in this village are the success- 

 fuli}'^ conducted mills of the Berkshire AVoolen Company. 

 The increase of manufacturing establishments and the 

 introduction of new industries into the town would be 

 hailed by many as an evidence of increasing prosperity, and 

 while such an increase in the population might afford a 

 better market for agricultural products, it is extremely 

 doubtful if a growth in such direction would add to the 

 permanent prosperity of the town, for its chief attractions 

 are, and ever should be, those qualities which make it 

 desirable for country homes. That this feature is being 

 appreciated is shown by the strangers who seek its hospi- 

 talities in increasing numbers each succeeding year. 



The manner of caring for the material interests of the 

 town may possibly contribute to its popularity in this re- 

 spect. We have about seventy miles of road and fifteen 

 bridges, which are kept in repair at an annual average 

 expense of about $4,000 ; the policy of the town, in late 

 years, having been to get the best. We have now eight 

 substantial iron bridges, which number will be increased as 

 the remaining wooden structures need replacing. 



The educational institutions of the town constitute a 

 feature in which the inhabitants feel a commendable pride. 

 We maintain a first class high school, two grammar schools, 

 and seventeen primary and intermediate schools, with an 

 attendance of something over 800 scholars, for the support 

 of which we paid, in 1883, the sum of $9,532, besides some- 

 thing more than $1,500 for repairs of school buildings. 



We have a free public library, containing three thousand 

 and five hundred volumes, organized and supported wholly 

 by private liberality until the present year, when the town 

 voted an appropriation of $1,000 for its benefit, having 



