AND GARDENER'S JOURNAL. 



PUBLISHED BY JOSEPH BRECK &, CO., NO. 52 NORTH MARKET STREET, (Agricultural WaeehooseO 



VOL.. XVII.] 



BOSTON, WEDNESDAY EVENING, NOVEMBER 7, 1838. 



[NO. 18. 



AGRICULTURAL. 



BERKSHIRE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



CATTLE SHOW AND FAIR. 



On Wednesday and Thursday, the 3d and 4th 

 days of October instant, the Berkshire Agricultural 

 Society held its 38th anniversary in Pittsfield. 

 The rain, which continued until 11 o'clock in the 

 morning of tlie first day, was the only unpleasant 

 circumstance attending the Fair ; and this did not 

 prevent the usual collection of animals, even from 

 some of the most distant towns in the county. The 

 field appropriated to the exhibition of cattle, sheep, 

 and swine, was one of the principal places of con- 

 course ; and it was here that the good effects 

 of this society were again as in former years, 

 8trikino-ly apparent. The exhibition of working 

 cattle,°particularly four-year-old oxen and three- 

 year-old steers, lias never been equalled before, 

 either in number or quality. Indeed, of the neat 

 cattle generally, we have never seen so great a va- 

 riety together before. Besides our own native 

 breeds, there were the Durham, the Devonshire and 

 the Ay'shire, with a variety of crosses. The com- 

 mittees were engaged most industriously during 

 the afternoon in vi'ewing and comparing tlie animals ; 

 and in the evening in preparing their reports. The 

 reports of tlie committees will give the details in 

 tllis department. 



The hall of domestic manufactures was also a 

 place of o-reat resort, and presented an interesting 

 variety of results of the domestic and manutactu- 

 rino- indu,stry. The afternoon of the day was de- 

 liffhtfuUy pleasant. The whole scene was one of 

 exceedino- interest, to all who have the interests 

 alid honor of old Berkshire at heart. The vast 

 concourse of our fellow citizens, all seemingly grat- 

 ified with this opportunity of exchanging their con- 

 gratulations, comparing the results of their agri- 

 cultural experience ; exhibiting their stock, viewing 

 the "tock of others, buying, selling, and e.xchang- 

 incr could not but be regarded with pleasure and 

 patriotic feelings. Although this is the oldest ag- 

 ricultural society in the United States -although 

 this is its 28th anniversary, yet the interest ot our 

 community in its annual Fairs, so far from flagging, 

 is constantly and steadily increasing. It is our 

 best ; almost our only holiday ; and the citizens of 

 Berkshire will long continue to cherish it. 



The second day was one of the most mild and 

 beautiful days of this remarkable reason. The 

 exhibition of this day opened with the Ploughing 

 Match, on the farm of Mr James Foot The field 

 prepared for the spectators, adjoining the ploughing 

 field was occupied by thousands of both sexes and 

 all ages ; all animated by the morning air ; the 

 pleasant ride, and the excitement of the rural 

 strife. 



Before 11 o'clock, the vast concourse had returned 

 to tlie villao-e ; and the procession, under the direc- 

 tion of Cof Weston, Chief Marshal, and eleven 

 assiBtent Marshals, escorted by the "Berkshire 



Greys," under the command of Capt. West, was on 

 its way to the meeting house. 



The prayers were ofi"ered by the Rev. Dr Shep- 

 hard. The sacred music was perfoimed by the 

 " Hastings and Mason Musical Association," led 

 by Mr M. S. Wilson. To those who are acquaint- 

 ed with the zeal, spirit and perseverance, with 

 which this Association has been conducted, it is 

 needless to speak of the character of their perform- 

 ance. The citizens of this county liave just reason 

 to be proud of this Association, and its public ex- 

 hibitions. 



- The annual address was delivered by the Presi- 

 dent of the Society, the Hon. Lester Filley. It 

 was plain, practical, full of instruction, containing 

 many striking and eloquent passages. After the 

 address, the reports of the committees were read 

 by the Secretary ; and the premiums delivered to 

 the successful competitors by the Treasurer. 



The society dined on the first day at Brown's 

 Coffee House, and on the second at Warriner and 

 Russel's Hotel ; and the entertainments on both 

 days, were of the most satisfactory kind. 



The most perfect order and regularity was pre- 

 served throughout all the exercises of the second 

 day, and for this, much credit is due to the Marshal 

 and his assistants, as well as to the escort. . 



The following gentlemen were chosen officers of 

 the society for th" ona^i^s 7'^'^ '""'■ 



L.KSTER FILLEY. President 



William Williams, ) ^^^^ President. 



Clement Harrison, j 



Samuel D. Colt, Treasurer. 



Julius Rockwell, Cor. & Rec. Sec'y. 



Grenville D. Weston \ 



Roderick Norton } Com. on Agriculture. 



Jay Shears ) 



Levi Goodrich \ 



John M. Hulbert S Com. on Animals. 



Jason Newton } 



Thomas B. Strong j 



Justus T.^wer ^ Com. on Manufactures. 



David Carton ) 



Edward A. Newton i 



Calvin Martin |> Com. on Accounts. 



Thomas Twining ) 



Calvin Martin, x\uditor. 

 A resolution was inanimously adopted, present- 

 ing the thanks of the society to the Presid mt, for 

 his address, and requesting a copy for tlie press ; 

 and Moses A. Lee, Samuel D. Colt and Henry W. 

 Bishop, were appointed a committee to communicate 



the same. '. 



On motion of E. A. Newton, Esq., a resolution 

 was adopted authorizing the Executive Committee, 

 to offer Premiums on the 1st, 'id, and 3d best 

 thirty yoke of working oxen from any one town. 



Mr L. Cliandler Ball, of Hoosic, N. Y., was 

 elected -an Honorary Meinbf r of the society. The 

 fine stock exhibited by this gentleman, will be found 

 noticed in the appropriate report. 



REPORTS. 



On Agriculture. 



The Committee on Agriculture have performed 

 the duties assigned them and respectfully report : 



That the return of this anniversary furnishes 

 abundant reason for grateful thanks to the " Author 

 of all Good," for his merciful dispensations to us 

 in the events of this year. This section of the 

 country has been favored with a long and warm 

 season and seasonable showers, while other parts 

 have suffered from severe droughts, rarely if ever 

 experienced, and the committee would congratulate 

 their fellow citizens upon the bountiful harvests of 

 the fruits of the earth as the reward of their indus- 

 try. This county is at present enjoying the sun- 

 shine of prosperity. Not only is the hu.sbandman 

 blest with an abundant supply, but our mechanics 

 and manufacturers cease to complain of the " dis- 

 tress of the times." And tlie busy hum of machi- 

 nery again is heard — all is activity and cheerful- 

 ness. 



The agriculture of Berkshire is rapidly advanc- 

 ing keeping pace with the improvements in the 



best agricultural districts in the country — showing 

 conclusively that the spirit of inquiry is abroad 

 among our farmers, and carrying them to prosperity 

 and wealth. Although much has been done in the 

 way of improvement, yet it is undeniably true that 

 r„,„.U w._-; — t^ Xc A^np Tl -a-niild bp. iinnecpju 

 sary and of little avail to particularize deficiencies 

 —the committee rely much more on the means of 

 information which is within tlie reach of every 

 farmer, by the reading of agricultural journals, and 

 the opportunity afforded at the end of each agricul- 

 tural season by the assemblage of our most intel- 

 ligent and successful agriculturists, and by an in- 

 te'rchange of opinions and detailed accounts of the 

 experim'ents they have made. The committee fully 

 believe that the agriculture of the county has re- 

 ceived great 'benefit from the e^'^orts of this society, 

 and would be much more promoted, should the far- 

 mers generally give it their undivided support. 



The committee believe tliat the premiums ofi"er- 

 ed by the society on Summer Rye and Flax do not 

 lead to any useful result— the former being at the 

 best a poor crop "and the latter will not be gene- 

 rally cultivated by our farmers— and they venture 

 to recommend that the society cease to offer pre- 

 miums on those crops and increase the amoiuit of- 

 fered for productions more in Uie spirit of improve- 

 ment. 



The committee viewed 114 crops entered for 

 premium, most of which display«d good husbandry 

 in the cultivation. Winter Rye was unusually 

 large and well filled, and every field of it viewed 

 was good enough for a premium crop. Corn w:<j 

 abundant and there were a great many competitors 

 for tlie prizes. It required the utmost scrutiny in 

 fixing on the successful applicants. Without tres- 

 passing further on the time of the society, the com- 

 mittee award the premiums as follows : 

 To Edwin Shears of Slieffield, for the best ^ 

 acres of winter wheat, §7 



