REPORTS OF DELEGATES. 307 



number of horses was large, embracing many fine animals. 

 The breeding mares, fourteen in number, with colts ])y their 

 sides, were by far the most pleasing as well as the most excel- 

 lent feature of the horse show. It will be conceded that no 

 county in the State can compete successfully with Berkshire in 

 rearing cattle, horses, sheep and swine. 



The spading match, which I failed to witness, on account of 

 the rain and mud, was said to have been contested with great 

 energy. The ground, spaded by each competitor, was sixty- 

 four square feet of tough sward land, and the work was well 

 done by three of the men in less than ten minutes. ' 



Here ended the exercises of the second day, save and except 

 the very disagreeable one of returning to our lodgings through 

 a deluge of rain and mud. The exhibition, as far as it was my 

 fortune to witness it, was one of great excellence. There was 

 nothing to condemn, but much, very much, to approve and 

 commend. It was said by those who knew, that this was the 

 best show they ever had. It should be stated here, that the 

 recent law of the State, requiring the whole of certain crops, 

 entered for premium, to be weighed, is quite unpopular in 

 Berkshire, as its tendency is to cheek competition in such crops. 



The ploughing matfeh, the trotting for prizes, and the semi- 

 centennial celebration came off on the third day, and, as I am 

 credibly informed, to the entire satisfaction of all interested. I 

 am informed by a friend that the ploughing match was con- 

 tested with energy by twenty teams, ten of horses and ten of 

 oxen ; the work was done in the best manner. 



I would not fail here to acknowledge the cordial welcome and 

 generous hospitality extended to me by the officers and other 

 gentlemen of the society. 



0. C. Felton. 



HOUSATONIC. 



Owing to the illness of Professor Clark of the Board of 

 Agriculture, who had been assigned as visitor on the part of 

 the Board, to the annual exhibition of the Ilousatonic Society, 

 a meagre report prepared in haste, .aiid at a late day, is all 

 that can be furnished. 



