36 



form the frame and adornment of an already pleasing picture, a very different 

 kind would be selected from one designed to form a picture of itself. Happily 

 the variety indigenous -to our soil and climate is ample for all situations. The 

 elm, with its open top, its long, slender, gracefully drooping branches, the ash, 

 with its more rigid boughs, and the maple, with its dense foliage and protect- 

 ing shade are types of the various kinds that are easily obtained, hardy and of 

 rapid growth. A very little artistic taste would decide on a proper selection 

 if the individual will look beyond the present time, and beyond the leafless, 

 branchless stick that he is putting into the ground, and see in the distant future 

 the majestic tree under whose branches his children's children shall rejoice and 

 feel grateful for the enterprise and forethought which prompted their ances- 

 tors of his generation. 



In regard to the time for setting, spring is believed to be the most favor- 

 able, although good success has often resulted from autumn planting, thorough 

 work being more decisive of good results than the choice of seasons, securing 

 good roots, proper preparation of the ground and thorough mulching will 

 insure the growth of a large proportion, whether set in spring or fall. 



The marked success of one or two competitors who left the full tops on 

 their trees- has not convinced the committee that such is the better way. We 

 believe that a few years' growth will demonstrate the fact that close trimming 

 and shortening will insure a more certain life and a more even and well pro- 

 portioned top than can be secured by the other system. 



The committee could h'ave done better justice to the competitors had they 

 been allowed to divide the amount offered for 40 trees equally between four 

 of them, viz. : Elihu Church of Alford, J. B. Walker of New Marlboro, 

 Louis Schnieder and George Kellogg of Sheffield, their claims for excellence 

 being so nearly equal, that giving the prizes to only two, seems to the commit- 

 tee to be doing injustice to the others, but as they are given no discretion in 

 changing the offer as made by the society, they award for the best 40 trees, 

 Best 40 Shade Trees, Elihu Church, Alford, $40 



2d do., Louis Schneider, SheflBeJd, 20 



Best 25 Shade Trees, David S. Busby, Monterey, 25 



2d do., Henry W. Sheldon, New Marlborough, 15 



Calvin Rood, \ n^^^;tto« 

 M. I. Wheeler, \ Committee. 



Report of Saleof Stock at Auction. 



Your committee were at their post of duty to which they had been as- 

 signed, at precisely the place and hour of advertisement. We had previously 

 arranged with the veteran auctioneer, Daniel B. Fenn, Esq., of Stockbridge, 

 who (as his custom is) was "on time" and ready for business. We labored 

 under some disappointment in making the sale what it was hoped it might be, 

 and what we had a right to expect, in receiving notice at a late date that S. W. 

 Elliot, Esq., of Salisbury, Ct., who had announced that he would be present 

 and offer for sale his somewhat noted thoroughbred short horn bull, "Prince 

 Ambrose," also several Hambletonian horses, would not be present. As there 

 were several inquiries for horses, and none to be offered, your committee were 

 under a cloud for the time being, as we had not the goods to show. 



These sales are yet in their infancy, and partially yet, a matter of experi- 

 ment, but we fail to see any reason why they may not with judicious manage- 

 ment, with sufficient advertising, eventually become both profitable to seller 

 and buyer, and tiie grounds of the Housalonic agricultural society upon the 

 first day of the fair, become for one or two hours a mart of no inconsiderable 

 notoriety. The sales were as follows : 



One cow, payable five months from date, $29.00; one cow, cash, $20.50; 

 one cow, cash, $21.75. Average, $23.75. 



One yoke oxen, cash, $180; one Berkshire boar pig, cash, $9.00. Total, 

 $260.25. M. S. Heath, ^ ^ .,, ^ 



W. H. Day, \ Committee. 



