Address 



from Cherry Valley, in the State of New York, lie was probably enabled 

 to make the Pittsfield fanners rejoice that they had not put in competition 

 their long- legged, tall, lank sided swine, and their diminutive, peak backed 

 mongrel bulls. But this show prepared the way for the " real exhibition " 

 of 1811, and the incorporation of the Berkshire Agricultural Society, — 

 with ample powers bin no funds. The clergy were at first shy of officiating 

 on these occasions, considering them bubbles of the moment, but these 

 bubbles have increased into tidal waves, washing not only the shores of 

 New England, but the whole American continent. The list of agricultural 

 fairs in the United States amounts to, at least, one thousand, and wherever 

 the Yankee farmer goes, he carries with him, in addition to his pulpit, his 

 school-house and his town meeting, his annual cattle show, and neither 

 ministers nor lawyers are any longer shy of officiating on these occasions, 

 either as exhibitors, preachers or spectators. 



But Elkanah's troubles were not over even after the successful establish- 

 ment of the Berkshire Agricultural Society, and the filling its coffers with 

 the aid of funds from Boston. His next endeavor was to get the female 

 part of the community to identify itself with the society. " It wasagreat 

 object" says the enthusiastic old man, when in his old age relating these 

 occurrences, " to excite the females to a spirit of emulation ; we were 

 satisfied no measures would lead to that result with so much certainty as 

 premiums on domestic manufactures and closing the second 'Farmers' holi- 

 day' in innocent festivity by an agricultural ball; also, to unite them in 

 singing pastoral odes at tne church." Allot* which was effected in 1813, as 

 well as the organization of a viewing committee of agriculture, and the 

 old gentlemen relates witli marvellous interest, how he managed to induce 

 the weaker sex to assemble together in a private room " where some valu- 

 able premiums of silver plate were exclusively devoted to them," to be 

 awarded on domestic manufactures and how they wouldn't go in until he 

 procured his wife to precede them, such was their timidity! And what 

 a glorious sight, said he, "to see a group of the most respectable farmers, 

 (as if under the solemnity of an oath.) critically inspecting in the midst of 

 fields of grain, grass, vegetables, &c. Also, the state of the orchards, 

 buildings, fences and farming utensils, and to witness the anxious candidate 

 for premiums attentively seizing every lisp favorable to his husbandry, or 

 probable success," a sight, said he, "more exhilarating to the friends of 

 patriotism than to view the gorgeous pageantry of palaces and their pam- 

 pered tenants decorated in gold !'' 



