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The Reports having been read, the President introduced the in- 

 tellectual entertainment in a speech of welcome to the guests and 

 members of the Association. He congratulated the Society on the 

 timely erection of the new and commodious building which now 

 sheltered thpm from the inclemency of the weather, and which, by 

 the social festivities of the hour, and the ceremonies of the day, 

 would be dedicated to the cause of Agriculture, Industry and Art. 



He gratefully acknowledged the indebtedness of the Society to 

 those ladies who had so nobly volunteered to increase by their efforts 

 the funds of the Society, by their Fair, and who by their presence 

 gave countenance and support to the labors of its members. 



He concluded his remarks with an allusion to the importance of 

 the farmer's calling, and gave a sentiment in honor of Agriculture. 



The President then gave a toast complimentary to the Com- 

 monwealth of Massachusetts, and as a response to which, he read a 

 letter from Gov. Clifford, regretting his inability to be present. 



The next sentiment called up the Orator of the Day. 



Rev. Frederic D. Huntington responded in a brief, but felicitous 

 manner, closing with the remark that as he had performed his full 

 share of the day's labor, he should decline making a speech. 



The President then introduced Charles L. Flint, Esq., Secretary 

 of the Massachusetts Board of Agriculture. Mr. Flint spoke as 

 follows : 



Mr. President, — I shall not attempt to express to you the gratification which 

 I have felt to-day. In passing around from one part of your exhibition to 

 another I have mai-ked everywhere the utmost degree of interest beaming in 

 the eye and speaking in the tones of the farmers who have met to increase and 

 strengthen in each other the spirit of improvement and progress. I cannot 

 help contrasting in my mind the favorable circumstances under which we meet 

 with those which characterized such exhibitions forty years ago. 



It is now forty-three years since the fii'st exhibition of the Berkshire Agri- 

 cultural Society was held under the great elm tree in the public square of 

 Pittsfield. We at this day, can form no conception of the difficulties, the 

 almost insurmountable difficulties, with which the first projectors were forced 

 to contend, — the opposition, the angry criticism, the ridicule of all classes of 

 society. They conquered at last, and peace to their ashes, they died in the 

 mjdst of honor and the blessings of a grateful community. 



Your Society is one of the youngest in the State. It started into being 

 under such favorable auspices that it may be said to have passed its infancy at 

 a bound, and to have entered at once upon its full career of vigor and useful- 

 ness. The practical machinery of other societies had been carefully examined, 



