REPORT ON AGRICULTURE, 



The Committee of the Berkshire Agricultural Society appoin- 

 led tor viewing crops standing in the fields, have faithfully at- 

 tended to the discharge of their important trust, and beg leave, 

 respectfully, to report : 



That they noticed with peculiar pleasure a growing atten- 

 tion to improvements in Agriculture in every pan of the Coun- 

 ty, where their duty called them, which was highly gratifying 

 to them, especially as it Avas manifest that these interesting re- 

 sults of our enquiries were principally owing to the effects of 

 your Society, in diffusing a laudable spirit of emulation among 

 our farmers, which has stimulated a ^^eneral ambition to excel, 

 not only in raising good crops, but keeping buildings and fences 

 in belter repair. It is, therefore, our earnest wish and entreaty, 

 thai the ntembers of the Society, and the community at large, 

 will contribute liberally to the support of an institution so emi- 

 nently calculated to do good to the whole country. 



Wc will not, on this occasion, trespass on the time of the 

 public by going into detail as to the best method of fencing, of 

 collecting and creating mar.ures, or of raising and preserving 

 fruit trees, and mai^y other objects interesting to every farmer. 

 At the same titne we beg leave strongly to recommend a gene- 

 ral attention to these interesting objects, that the Society and 

 posterity may derive knowledge and benefit from our experience. 



Your Committee cannot refrain from expressing their deep 

 sense of gratitude and praise to Almighty GOD, in blessing 

 this people with such abundant crops of wheat, rye, oats, flax 

 and peas ; notwithstanding the unconmion cold, and severe 

 drought, they were never greater. Indian coiti having, for the 

 same reasons, generally failed, the applicants for premiums on 

 that article, generous'y waved their pretensions, and are entitkul 

 to the thanks of the Society. The candidates were numerous, 

 and had the season been favorable, the whole eommunity would 

 have been sensible of the visible effects of your premiums. 



On the suggestion of the President, your Committee exam- 

 ined a mill erected by Capt. Merrill's, for grinding Plaister of 

 Paris, on an extensive scale ; and they beg leave to recommend 

 it, from its promised utility, as an object worthy of a premium. 



By order of the Viewing Committee of jl^riculture. 



JOEL BRADLEY, C/mlrMan. 



