REPORTS OF DELEGATES. 328 



I found this to be one of the most flourishing and prosperous 

 societies in the Commonwealth. It contains eight hundred 

 and thirty-five members, and is nearly free from debt. 



The first day of the exhibition opened with a grand holiday, 

 which all seemed to enjoy, from the president and executive 

 committee to the infant in its mother's arms, (numbers of 

 which were present.) 



The inhabitants in the country round about had turned out 

 in full force, or it seemed as if they were all there, to enjoy the 

 festivities of the occasion. Each of the three days dawned 

 beautifully, no cloud nor signs of rain to mar the enjoyment of 

 those present, and each morning was clear and glorious as ever 

 shone upon the face of nature. Tlie Aveather was mild as 

 summer. The beautiful mountains which surround this lovely 

 valley presented their tinted leaves, and all nature seemed gay 

 and cheerful. 



There were ninety entries of horses, forty-three of working 

 oxen and steers, forty-eight for cows and lieifers, twelve for 

 bulls and bull-calves, twenty-eight for sheep, eleven for swine, 

 aud twenty-seven for poultry. 



Cattle, like tlic inhabitants, were out in full force, represent- 

 ing the noble Shorthorn, the beautiful Ayrshire, the sleek 

 Devon, and the wee little Jersey. Grade Shorthorns greatly 

 predominated in numbers. Among them were several superior 

 animals, and I cannot justly forbear to speak particularly of a 

 yoke of four years old steers, presented by Luther H. Butler, of 

 Lenox, which weighed 4,700 lbs., and also a yoke of six years 

 old working cattle, which weighed 4,400 lbs. I. Wilcox, of 

 Sheffield, exhibited a four years old pure bred Shorthorn bull, 

 that attracted more attention than any otlier of this class on 

 the ground. William Stanley, of Great Barrington, exhibited 

 four Ayrshire heifers and a young bull, bred by H. H. Peters, of 

 Southborough, all fine animals, and showed points of fine breed- 

 ing. A. Gillman, exhibited the Devon bull Huron, bred by 

 E. G. Fales, New York, which was much admired. 



I am happy to say that the show of cattle was very superior 

 in all its classes in that department of the fair. There were a 

 large number of sheep and swine on exhibition, all of which did 

 credit to their breeders and exhibitors. 



