ADDEESS 



DELIVERED BY 



HORACE J. CANFIELD, Esq., of Stockbridge. 



When invited to address the Hoiisatonic Agricultural Society at its annua 

 meeting, I began at once to cast about for an appropriate topic. I felt acutely 

 the importance of the occasion, and the high character of the presence in 

 which I was to speak, I remembered that in the organization of agricultural 

 societies, old Berkshire occupies a proud historical distinction. I called to 

 mind the vrords of that excellent man, — whose career reflected so much honor 

 upon this county, — good old Governor Briggs ; words spoken almost half a 

 century ago, in which he said : "The first agricultural society in the United 

 States was organized in Berkshire; and " he continued, "there is no class of 

 citizens in this country who have not reaped benefit from it, — the farmer, the 

 mechanic, the laboring man, and the professional man. Our agriculture is im- 

 proved, our manufactures are fostered, our mechanical arts benefitted, and the 

 social feelings have been cultivated and enlarged among all our inhabitants." 



Agricultural societies have increased with the general increase of the nation. 

 They are now counted by hundreds. Every year they gather millions of pro- 

 perty and hundreds of thousands of members and spectators within their hos- 

 pitable gates. But the parent of this numerous progeny first saw the light in 

 Pittsfield, and its first born, springing to life, here, in this town of Great Bar- 

 rington, and named from the "Housatonnuk river of our pride," has grown to 

 a vigorous maturity, and in the great family of agricultural societies stands 

 second to none in the elements of beauty, prosperity and beneficence. Ponder- 

 ing such facts as these, you may suppose that T was not careless of the responsi- 

 bilities devolved upon me, and at once chose a siibject : — The law of Heredity 

 — exactly suited to the time and place. But let me remind yrn\ that just then 

 the notes of preparation for our National Centennial, which had been for so 

 long a time sounding fitfully and spasmorlically in the ear of the world, became 

 sharp, distinct and clear. As the time approached, the omens all assumed en- 

 couraging and cheerful aspects. The national heart filled and overflowed with 

 a pride and an enthusiasm which were genuine and not unwarranted. The 

 world with generous sympathy, approved the spectacle. The whole atmos- 

 phere was charged with patriotism, and we all felt and yielded to the influences 

 of the time. Then came the "4th," the Centennial ith, with its pomp and 

 pageantry, in many cases brilliant, beautiful and mspiring, with its blare of 



