APPENDIX. xxxiii 



general!}' good, serviceable animals, but few were remarkable either 

 for size or speed. 



The draught-horses were of superior quality, and much interest 

 was manifested in their trial, which was admirabl}* conducted. 



The ploughing-match was sharpl}- contested by a large number of 

 horse-teams, and the work was well done — so well in fact that the 

 most difficult task of the afternoon appeared to be that of the award- 

 ing committee. They must, however, have derived some comfort 

 from the fact that the}' were allowed seven premiums for distribu- 

 tion. 



The exhibition in the hall was of a high order of merit in the more 

 substantial articles. The vegetables of all sorts were abundant and 

 fine. The apples were in considerable quantit}' and of good quality, 

 but concealed from view in the bottoms of deep glass cases. The 

 absence of tables covered with the brilliant and beautiful fruits and 

 flowers usually seen at our county fairs was ver}^ noticeable. 



The fanc}' articles were however sufficiently numerous and excel- 

 lent to make a charming display. "While there were no less than 

 sixteen silk patchwork bedspreads and quilts, there was also an 

 unusually large proportion of more substantial and useful articles of 

 domestic manufacture. 



The exhibition of maple-sugar, honey and preserved and canned 

 fruits was such as onl}' old Berkshire can produce. But the butter 

 was the crowning excellence of the whole. The quality was first- 

 rate, and the quantity greater than ever was dreamed of at an 

 Eastern fair. There were fifty-eight entries, and each consisted of a 

 large jar or firkin full of the golden treasure. 



Miss Sadie Smith, of Hancock, deserves special mention for an 

 excellent herbarium of wild flowers, neatly mounted and correctly 

 named. It would be well for our agricultural societies to offer pre- 

 miums for collections in the various departments of natural history, 

 in order to encourage the young to interest themselves in these most 

 attractive objects of study. They are everywhere to be found, and 

 remarkably suited in their infinite variety' to awaken curiosity and 

 develop habits of observation which will be of great service in 

 after-life. 



There is one most commendable custom in Berkshire which ought 

 to be imitated in all parts of the State, and that is the active com- 

 petition for the large and numerous premiums offered for furm-crops, 

 farms, orchards, etc., etc. The spirit of emulation thus aroused can- 

 not fail to promote most effectively the diffusion of knowledge on all 

 subjects related to agricultural improvements, and to continue the 

 interest, which is now too often limited to the annual fair, through- 

 out the entire year. 

 5 



