10 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



Berkshire — events have proved that with societies, as with 

 farmers, there need be no unpleasant rivahy, no disastrous 

 competition. The field of usefulness is large enough for the 

 well-directed labors of all. 



In the case of the Housatonic, if its usefulness has been in 

 keeping with its growth and material prosperity, its existence 

 has certainly not been in vain. From very small beginnings 

 it has grown to a leading position among the institutions of 

 the State. As an illustration of its growth we have one of 

 its earliest schedules of premiums otic red, amounting in all 

 to one Jiundred and eighty-two dollars, which meagre sum 

 was secured by the persistent efforts of the few Avho were 

 interested in the enterprise. The total disbursement of this 

 Society for the current year, will aggregate between ^yt^ and 

 six thousand dollars. Just how much of the manifest im- 

 provement in the agriculture of the vicinity is due to the 

 influence of this Society it is impossible to estimate, but 

 certain it is, that a cjreat chano'c for the better is indicated 

 by the improved stock, by the better cultivated fields, and by 

 the evidences of comfort and rdfinement that mark the homes 

 of the farmers. And Ave believe that our Society has con- 

 tributed largely in effecting all of these results ; for while its 

 efforts have been mainly in the direction of practical and 

 profitable agriculture, the aesthetic side of farm life has not 

 been overlooked. One or two instances in this line I note 

 with pleasure. 



The Society's list of premiums offered for 1875 contained, 

 beside the customary list, this announcement: — 



'' A resident of Great Ban*ington, desiring that the town sliould be 

 further beautified, and believing that the cultivation of forest and orna- 

 mental trees increases the value as well as the beauty of the country, 

 offtirs $200 in premiums, viz. : — One of $100, one of $G0, and one of $iO, 

 to persons competing therefor in the above work on the following 

 terms: The trees are to be set in the autumn of 1874 or tlie spring of 

 1875, within the distance of five miles of the iron bridge in said town, 

 and the forest variety must consist either of tiie elm, white-ash, rock- 

 maple, white-oak or walnut, preference being given to trees of the above 

 kinds ill the order in which they are named. The selection of ornamental 

 trees is left to the choice of each competitor. One-eighth of the trees 

 may be set out on competitor's land for the purpose of ornamentation, 

 the rest in the public highways within the limits aforesaid. No tree to 

 be less than 9 feet iiigh, and those in the highway to be set at least 50 



