35 



Best maple syrup, A. W. Merrill of Sandisfield, 3 00 



2d do., Mrs. T. H. Spencer of West Stockbridge, 2 00 



3d do., Isaac Spurr of Sheffield, 1 00 



The committee would also recommend that the following prizes he award- 

 ed for superior honey: — 



Lewis Emmons of New Marlboro', $3 00 



Charles Spurr of Sheffield, 2 00 



Prizes were offered for best Sorghm Syrup, but as only one specimen 



was entered and that one in much smaller quantity that was prescribed, 



no premium was awarded. 



In order that the judgment of the committee may be approved, a few 

 words of explanation may be necessary. The specimens presented for ex- 

 amination were of a high order of merit, and the task of deciding as to 

 their respective worth, was a difficult one. There were sixty-eight entries 

 made in this department, and the difference in their qualities, by which the 

 superior excellence of one above another was to be determined, was often 

 very slight. In one or two instances, the white bread, which appeared the 

 best outwardly, was found to be slightly sour, probably from having risen 

 too long before baking. Occasionally too much yeast was used in its prepa- 

 ration, and its presence was too strongly marked in the taste of the bread. 

 In one loaf, at least, the potato element was sufficiently prominent to 

 cause decision against it. Had the committee judged by their eyes of 

 some specimens offered, their decisions might have been different; for many 

 loaves were perfect in form and color; but as the prime end of bread is to 

 please the taste and nourish the body, that is the best which preserves in 

 the best manner the native sweetness of the grain from which it is made. 

 Judged by this standard, one of the poorest lookiny loaves of rye bread, 

 received the first premium. 



In regard to honey, we wish to say, that no more of it was used by the 

 ladies of the committee, than enough to fairly test its quality; and we ask 

 that those to whom the honey belonged will not hold us resposible for all 

 that was taken from the boxes. Quite a number of gentlemen enjoyed its 

 sweets, who were self-appointed tasters. 



FLOWERS. 



The committee on flowers report as follows: — 



Mrs E. C. Ticknor of Alford, $5 00 



Henry T. Robbins of Great Barrington, 5 00 



D. S. Draper of Great Barrington, 5 00 



David Leavitt of Great Barrington, 3 00 



Mrs. Dwight Andrews of Sheffield, 3 00 



