BERKSHIRE SOCIETY. 263 



BERKSHIRE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



The fortieth anniversary of this society was held at Pitts- 

 field, on Wednesday and Thursday, the 2d and 3d of October 

 last. The society grows vigorous as it grows old. The com- 

 petition grows constantly sharper. The interest it excites be- 

 comes every year broader and deeper in the county. Most of 

 the young farmers in the county are its fast friends. Seeing 

 the benefits it has already yielded to the most important inter- 

 ests of the county, they are determined to sustain it. Thirty 

 new members joined the society in 1848, thirty-five in 1849, 

 and forty-five in 1850. 



The state of the weather was very unfavorable to the cattle 

 show on the first day. It rained in torrents nearly all the after- 

 noon, while the committees were making their examinations. 

 It was a source of great regret, for our grounds never exhibited 

 a more splendid array of oxen, three and two-years old steers, 

 cows, and two-years old heifers, sheep and swine. 



Notwithstanding the bad weather of "Wednesday, thirty 

 ploughmen entered the lists for the contest on the following 

 morning, and twenty-nine actually ploughed. The exhibition 

 of domestic manufactures fully sustained the interest that this 

 department has heretofore awakened. 



The address was delivered by William C. Goldthwait, Esq., 

 of Westfield. The reports were then read by the secretary, 

 and the premiums, (mostly of silver plate.) which had been 

 arranged together, so as to make a beautiful show, by the trea- 

 surer, were delivered by him, assisted by the marshals, to the 

 successful competitors. 



On Agricultural Products. 



In the piosecution of their duties, the committee have ob- 

 served with the highest satisfaction, the manifestations of the 

 spirit of improvement exhibited throughout the county. Fre- 



