696 MASS. BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



MR. LAWTON'S REPORT. 



EXHIBITION OF THE HOUSATONIC SOCIETY. 



This society was organized ten years ago by a few individ- 

 uals of Southern Berkshire; they being fully aware of the 

 benefits arising from properly conducted associations of this 

 character. 



And notwithstanding there then existed a well-conducted 

 agricultural society, called the Berkshire County Society, the 

 first oro-anized body that bore the above name in the State, 

 very many of our enterprising farmers and mechanics in 

 Southern Berkshire did not appreciate its worth ; being located 

 so far from Pittsfield, the village where its annual fairs were 



held. 



In the progress of this society, the Commonwealth very 

 kindly aided, and adopted her as one of her children ; and she 

 now stands side by side with the first in the State. 



Her permanent fund is 5,316^^^,*^^ dollars, and they hope soon 

 to double that amount. 



The Annual Fair of this Society was held at Great Barring- 

 ton on the 29th and 30th of September, 1852. At an early 

 hour the citizens began to assemble, apparently deeply inter- 

 ested in this grand festival of the farmer. 



Various products were brought in from the surrounding 

 country, which soon filled the apartment assigned for them. 

 In the mean time, the ladies were not slow in bringing their 

 domestic manufactures and arranging them in the hall. 



The display of the products of the dairy was grand. I 

 noticed some thirty tubs and pots of butter, all of an excellent 

 quality, and nearly as many specimens of cheese; most of 

 which was very rich, with a good flavor, speaking in language 

 that cannot be misunderstood for the ladies of Berkshire. 



The exhibition of flannels, carpetings, blankets, and bed 

 quilts, was large, and showed good taste and a thorough 

 knowledge in their manufacture. 



There were some beautiful specimens of needle-work and 

 paintings, being fashioned by the skill and good taste of the 

 ladies, and wrought by their delicate hands. 



