TRANSACTIONS. 



In opening the records of the Berkshire County Ag- 

 ricultural Society's Transactions for the current year, 

 but few words seem necessary. And yet there are a 

 few things which, if not found here, will be looked for 

 in vain by those who come after us. So far as the 

 members of the Society are, at present, concerned, there 

 is but little profit from publishing, at this time, any 

 part of our work. xlll who cannot say " I had a 

 hand in it," have long since had the means of knowing 

 through the newspapers of the day. It is for others, 

 and for preservation and future use, that we re-print, 

 in a durable form. Who of us would not give twice the 

 cost for a full report of any year, forty or fifty years ago ? 



The first thing noticeable at the last gathering, finds 

 its solution in the pecuniary feeling and condition of the 

 whole people. There is a great desire to get, and a 

 great reluctance to spend. Some of the latter arises, no 

 doubt, from an inability to get, and a consequent inabil- 

 ity to spend ; but quite as much, we gladly believe, 

 from prudence and economy — two old words found in 



