398 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



and cheese, for which this show is famed, were exhibited in 

 quantity, and of a quality fully to sustain the long established 

 reputation of the county. The arrangements of the society 

 this year for the exhibition of these articles, as well as fruit 

 and some others, were much improved. Of fruit there was an 

 exceedingly large and fine exhibition, due in part to the favor- 

 able season, but in no small degree to the increased interest 

 imparted to fruit culture within a few years past. Grapes have 

 assumed the place of peaches as a delicate fruit, but more able 

 to bear the rigors of a mountain climate. Wines from native 

 grapes, currant and other berries, begin to form an interesting 

 department in the exhibition, and are of delicious flavor. As 

 a general thing the exhibition of vegetables and seeds was not 

 large or of superior quality. There were, however, some nota- 

 ble exceptions. One exhibition, that of Mr. A. W. Bigelow of 

 Lenox, deserves special record, as showing the value of the 

 seed distributed by the patent office. At the fair Mr. Bigelow 

 presented no less than one hundred and twenty-five varieties 

 of vegetables exclusive of fifty-seven varieties of beans. Most 

 of these were raised from seed furnished by government, and 

 which he gave a fair trial, although his garden is only an 

 adjunct to his farm, some of the specimens are only orna- 

 mental ; many are not superior to old varieties, but some 

 appear to be valuable additions to our variety of garden vege- 

 tables. At any rate Mr. Bigelow's exhibition goes to show 

 what may be learned by a faithful trial of the seeds, as an 

 experiment, the only object of their distribution. 



" The department of manufactures and the fine arts, which 

 from its foundation this society has sought to encourage, this 

 year showed more than ever, at least since the early years of 

 its existence, the effect of that encouragement in articles which 

 are now famous all over the country. 



" The cattle show of the Berkshire Agricultural Society this 

 year then, altliough far from a pecuniary success, and although 

 it was not a source of great personal pleasure to those who 

 took part in it, was one in which the members might take great 

 pride and pleasure as showing how much more than amuse- 

 ment is involved in its annual festival." 



Marshall P. "Wilder. 



