64 TRANSACTIONS OF THE AMERICAN INSTITUTE. 



tion of the best agricultural products, and the finest specimens 

 of those articles of domestic industry manufactured in the 

 county. This was in 1810, and at that time linen, woolen 

 and cotton fabrics were made in nearly every farmer's family, 

 the women devoting themselves to this branch of industry, 

 while the men attended (o the duties of the farm, and it was 

 a kind of industry, the increase of which had then become a 

 matter of national necessity, as the prospects of a war with 

 Great Britain was inevitable, when the country would be cut off 

 from all foreign supplies, and be left to depend upon its own pro- 

 ductions. Watson's design was to get up an annual exhibition, 

 under the auspices of a county agricultural society, to be composed 

 of the principal farmers, and as an initiatory step, he succeeded in 

 inducing some twenty-six farmers to unite in a cattle show, at 

 Pittsfield, in the autumn of 1810. From them, a committee of 

 fourteen undertook the organization of an agricultural society ; 

 and this having been effected, after a great deal of difficulty, an act 

 of incorporation was attained. Watson was placed at the head of 

 it, and set himself zealously at work to carry out his plan, evinc- 

 ing a good deal of sagacity in the adaption of it to the habits and 

 peculiarities of the people, among whom he resided. He 

 was familiar with what had been done by the few agricultural 

 Bocieties established in Pennsylvania, New York and New England ; 

 but in his judgment they had failed to produce much effect, from 

 the want of a proper mode of interesting the people and exciting 

 among them a spirit of emulation. Their labors had been directed 

 to the publication of a few volumes upon agricultural subjects, 

 and to the offering of premiums; but so little interest was 

 awakened that they could not, in many instances, find any competi- 

 tors for the prizes they offered. " 1 felt," says Watson, " that to 

 excite a lively spirit of competition some eclat was necessary," and 

 this he proposed to do by getting up an agricultural and industrial 

 festival every autumn in Berkshire, combining an exhibition of 

 animals, with agricultural and manufacturing products ; and that 

 all classes might be attracted by it, to connect with it a rural pro- 

 cession, music, singing, dancing, a public address and religious ex- 

 ercises. His project, at first, found little favor. The wealthier 

 and influential inhabitants looked upon it as ridiculous and vision- 

 ary. Among that class which, in every community, regard them- 

 selves as the more intelligent, he was made a constant but for ridi- 

 cule, and the country people, especially the women, were shy and 

 hesitated to participate, from the fear of being laughed at. But 

 Watson, by his tact and perseverance, overcame every difficulty, 



