SECRETARY'S REPORT. 



The year just past has been one of great interest and remarkable pros- 

 perity for the Housatonic Agricultural Society. With the exception of Summer 

 and Fall Crops, nearly all departments exceeded in numbers as well as in excel- 

 lence all those of former years. 



The forty-fourth annual exhibition began on Wednesday, September 30th, 

 a sunny, mild, autumnal day, drawing together as large a crowd as was ever 

 seen on the grounds the first day. The show of thoroughbred cattle was 

 very fine, and uncommonly large, showing an improvement in quality in 

 nearly every department ; in fact, this may be said of nearly all the various 

 classes of animals. In the hall the exhibition of fruit and ladies fancy work 

 was so large as to require all the space not needed for other purposes, and 

 the show cases were filled to their utmost capacity. The show of agricultural 

 implements was uncommonly interesting, prominent among which was the large 

 exhibit of machinery by the Wheeler & Melick Co., of Albany, N. Y., under the 

 management of E. D. Brainard of Great Barrington. Several of the larger 

 machines were seen in motion, the power being supplied by a portable steam 

 engine. This department was located in the center of the trotting circle, 

 and always attracted a crowd of spectators. In addition to the other attractions 

 two bicycle races were given, open to those who had never taken a prize. There 

 were four entries, and the prizes were awarded to C. Heath of Lee and to 

 W. H. Sheridan of Pittsfield. The music for the day was furnished by the 

 Stockbvidge Cornet Band. The receipts at the gate were $1,901.08. 



Thursday, the second day, the weather continued mild and pleasant, and the at- 

 tendance generally conceded to be the largest ever on the grounds. The exhibition 

 of horses was complete and superior, and the several trials of speed proved to be of 

 great interest to the crowd of spectators. During the interval between the trot- 

 ting the lar^e Percheron horses of W. R. Allen of Pittsfield were exhibited, also 

 the blooded stallion "Gen. Putnam," half brother of ''Maud S," owned in 

 Brooklyn, N. Y. The Housatonic Cornet Band furnished the music. The re- 

 ceipts at the gate were $1,698.33, and from the grand stand (at five cents each) 

 $53.44, in all $1,751.77 being the largest amount ever received on a second day. 



The morning of Friday, the third day, was dark and threatening, and although 

 the day finally proved to be delightfully cool and comfortable, the attendance 

 was but moderately good, probably about 6,000 persons in all. At 9:30 o'clock 

 a. m., the president called the audiense in the hall to order, and after a prayer 

 by Rev. Mr. Traver, the Rev. Dr. Eddy of Canaan delivered the address, pub- 

 lished herewith. His Excellency George D. Robinson, Governor of the Com- 

 monwealth, was next introduced, who, in the course of his remarks tendered 

 the compliments of the Commonwealth to this Society for not only being out 

 of debt, but for having a permanent fund ; spoke words of encouragement to the 

 farmers, and urged the young men to share in agricultural pursuits. 



Dr. C. E. Heath of Lee then read a poem, and after music by the Germania 

 Band of Pittsfield which had by this time arrived, and the awards were read. 

 The trials of speed occupied the afternoon. The gate receipts for the day 

 were $649.70, and from the grand stand $38.03. 



