xxviii REPORTS OF DELEGATES. 



BERKSHIRE. 



The sixty-seventh annual exhibition of the Berkshire Agricultural 

 Society was held October 3, 4 and 5, upon its own grounds, pleas- 

 antly situated in a delightful valley lying among, or close to, the 

 Green Mountain range, whose hills were covered with the bright 

 autumnal leaves, making it one of the most beautiful places the eyes 

 ever rested upon. 



The weather was what would be called " cold, cloudy weather" ; 

 not what the officers and members desired. "Where a Society gives 

 so liberally in premiums, and depends upon its receipts, it needs at 

 least one pleasant day. Yet the Society is strong and well managed, 

 and there is no danger but that it will always make a creditable 

 show, in its finances as well as in its public exhibitions. 



The Society is the first that ever awarded premiums, and from its 

 commencement it has increased steadily and surely ; to-day it is one 

 of the best-managed and strongest societies in the State. 



The exhibition, I was told, was not up to some of the former 

 displays, yet it was good. I cannot well designate the contributors' 

 names, or the articles upon exhibition, although there were many 

 entries worthy of mention. 



The exhibition of neat-stock was quite large, and many valuable 

 animals were exhibited, among which were the Holsteins, which 

 appear to have a strong hold with the farmers of Berkshire. Dur- 

 hams, Devons, Alderneys and Ayrshires, were exhibited in good 

 numbers, all having their warm friends. 



Milch cows, sheep, and swine were well represented, and were an 

 attractive part of the exhibition. 



Poultrj- was well represented, showing many fine birds. The 

 Society will see the need of having platforms, so that fowls can be 

 shown to better advantage. 



The exhibition of horses was good, both in quality and in number, 

 showing that the people are interested in raising and using good 

 horses. 



The hall was full, too full to show to advantage. The vegetables 

 were of the best kind. I have never seen so many well-ripened 

 vegetables at any exhibition. Butter and cheese were also the best 

 I have ever seen. They all showed evidence of labor and care, and 

 were attractively displayed. 



The display of fruit was not large, hardly what I should expect, 

 from the abundance of the present year. The fruit was shown under 

 glass, in unoccupied spaces about the hall, and in that manner 

 could not be displayed to advantage. 



