HOUSATONIC SOCIETY. 365 



Agricultural Productions. 



The committee on agricultural productions submit the fol- 

 lowing report. The society offered $163 to the successful 

 competitors of agricultural crops. One hundred and sixty 

 crops were offered for premiums ; the most of them were ex- 

 amined, a few only being withdrawn. In passing through the 

 several towns to which the committee were called in the dis- 

 charge of their duties, in the valleys and on the hills, they 

 found the spirit of inquiry abroad. A commendable interest 

 in agricultural improvements was manifested. The farmers 

 being no longer content with the old traditionary system of 

 farming, were casting aside exploded notions and substituting 

 something more rational and reasonable. Fully appreciating 

 their influence, morally as well as politically, they ivill make 

 their calling honorable as well as honest. Never were the 

 prospects of this important class more encouraging than at 

 the present time. Receiving the attention of scientific men, 

 new theories are daily proposed and experiments tried. The 

 influence of the farming interests will be felt beyond the limits 

 of this Commonwealth. It has received an impetus that will 

 carry it to the halls of Congress, imperatively demanding of 

 the general government its attention. It will not stop here. 

 Its progress is forward and onward. It will revolutionize 

 peaceably the civilized world, and man will assert his inalien- 

 able rights. 



The often-repeated question, " Will the Housatonic Society 

 continue and prosper," is being answered. With an amount 

 contributed by the State equal to that of any other society, 

 with the voluntary donations of its members, furnishing the 

 largest premium list in the Commonwealth for its dower, an 

 enlightened and industrious population, possessing the valleys 

 watered by the Housatonic for its inheritance, why should it 

 not continue and flourish. 



In accordance with the regulations of the executive commit- 

 tee, statements have been furnished by most of the competitors. 

 This wise and salutary requirement, heretofore disregarded, 

 was not generally understood ; consequently many of the 

 statements are not prepared with an intention for publication. 

 This requirement should be persisted in. It is an important 



