xxxvi REPORTS OF DELEGATES. 



The exhibition in the hall proved that the farmers had wives who 

 were helpmeets. The tasteful arrangement of their handiwork and 

 of the fruits, flowers, vegetables and specimens of mechanical skill, 

 reflected the highest credit on the ladies who are sovereigns in-doors 

 as men are in the field. 1869 was not a fruit year in Massachusetts, 

 but no one would have thought so, judging from the exhibition. 

 One old associate on the Board, Mr. J. M. Smith of Sunderland, 

 furnished forty-nine plates of different species of fruits, among which 

 were twenty-two varieties of apples, eleven of pears, and eleven of 

 grapes. Grapes were the crowning glory of the fruit tables. There 

 were bunches of Delawares that weighed fourteen ounces, and the 

 Concords, Israellas, and Hartford prolifics were no mean imitations 

 of the clusters of Eschol. We rejoice at this evidence of the success 

 of grape culture in Massachusetts. At the conclusion of the two 

 days' exhibition, we accepted an invitation from Col. Wells, the 

 president, to visit his home in Shelburne and examine the Shel- 

 burne herds on their hilly pastures. The visit was one of great 

 pleasure and profit, and we became convinced that it is not neces- 

 sary for Massachusetts farmers to exchange their rough farms for 

 the prairie, in order to raise good stock and make a home and a 

 competence. 



Alex. Hyde. 



HOUSATONIC. 



On the 29th and 30th of September last, I attended the 

 twenty-eighth annual cattle show and fair of the Housatonic Soci- 

 ety, held at Great Barrington. The weather was truly delightful. 

 The attendance was large, and every thing which goes to make up 

 a first-class cattle show was there in great abundance. 



The stock, which consisted mostly of Shorthorns and grades, was 

 displayed in large numbers, and the quality was unexceptionable. 

 A small herd of Jerseys, entered by Mr. Mackie, of Great Barring- 

 ton, attracted much attention. The neat stock on exhibition num- 

 bered about 200. We also counted 60 sheep and 40 swine. 



The display in the hall, of fruit, seeds and vegetables was truly 

 excellent, and we were told surpassed that of any former exhibition. 

 Mr. Henry S. Goodale, of Mt. Washington, displayed 130 varieties 

 of potatoes. They were washed clean and arranged in the order of 

 their merit, occupying an entire table. On each variety was written 

 its name, and also its yield per square rod, ascertained by careful 

 experiment. Mr. Goodale was courteous and untiring in answering 



