346 



BERKSHIRE SOCIETY 



In our tonr around the county, we saw many farmers en- 

 gaged in moving large quantities of muek from the swamps to 

 their yar(]s and pen:?, for the purpose of increasing their com- 

 post heaps, with very little trouble and expense, in converting 

 it into a valuable manure, which may be considered, in the 

 true sense of the word, the capital stock of the farmer. We 

 hope the farmers will bestow^ more attention upon this branch 

 of farming, as we believe it to be invariably the case in every 

 part of the county where the attention of the farmer has been 

 turned to this important subject, viz.: the manufacturing of 

 manure from muck, and repairing of ditches, you are sure to 

 find good crops, a well cultivated farm, the crops upon it bear- 

 ing testimony that they have been well cared for, and of course 

 make good returns to the farmer for his labor and capital 

 vested ; but where this indispensable requisite is omitted, you 

 will most surely hear the farmer complain that he can never 

 get a premium on his crops, but his neighbor is always a suc- 

 cessful competitor, t!ie reason being obvious, but he does not 

 see it. 



In conclusion, your committee would not be unmindful of 

 the kind reception they met with in every section of the county 

 they had occasion to visit, and those families whose hospitality 

 they shared largely, will please accept our sincere and hearty 

 thanks. We award, — 



For the best acre of winter wheat — 



1. John L. Cooper, of Sheffield, 



2. Benjamin Baldwin, of Egremont, . 

 For the best acre of spring wheat — 



1. Walter Richards, of Lenox, . 



2. J. H. Chapin, of Sheflield, . 



3. William Williams, of Stockbridge, 



4. Nathaniel Cook, of Richmond, 



5. Reed Mills, of Williamstown, 

 For the best acre of winter rye — 



1. Samuel Lewis, of Great Barrington, 



2. John Partridge, of Pittsfield, . 



3. Marshal Brace, of Stockbridge, 



4. Paul S. Palmer, of Stockbridge, 



5. Enos Smith, of Stockbridge, . 



