366 
IMPORTATION OF PURE-BRED MERINO SHEEP.'-ITEMS. 
wonder. For the encouragement of southern eco¬ 
nomists, who prefer purchasing in foreign markets, 
rather than manufacturing at home, we must note 
a piece of carpeting, of more than ninety yards in 
length, manufactured by Miss C. F. Peirson, of 
Richmond, in a style which a southern nabob 
might be proud to admire, while, at the same time, 
he might be prouder still that he is a native of a 
republic where the persevering energy and discrimi¬ 
nating taste of such women are allowed ample 
scope for their operations. Then we saw on the 
opposite end of the hall, a beautiful silk bed-quilt, 
worked by Mrs. Lucy Gay, of the same place. We 
did not attempt in the hurry, and amid the excite¬ 
ment of the occasion, to count the number of pieces 
arranged in this rieh and gay article, but were cre¬ 
dibly informed that they numbered seven thousand 
six hundred and ninety-two, all beautifully orna¬ 
mented in roses. What a bed of flowers that must be, 
adorned with an article enriched by so much labor 
and fine taste ! And what a dowry must the bride 
present to her husband who can bring such speci¬ 
mens of the labor and skill of her girlhood’s sunny 
days. Then there were butter and cheese of the 
richest flavor, paintings of the highest finish, furni¬ 
ture of the most polished brightness—in short, 
almost everything calculated to 
“ Variegate, adorn, 
And make the farmer’s home delightful.” 
There, too, we saw a card of finely-wrought hard¬ 
ware, from the manufactory of L. Pomeroy & Sons, 
of Pittsfield ; a box of chemicals from Mr. Fish, of 
Salisbury, Conn.; and a model of Benson’s new 
machine for raising water, all matters that indicate 
the growing prosperity of our country. 
On the morning of the second day, the plowing 
match came off at eight o’clock. From five to 
seven thousand spectators attended to witness the 
feats of the occasion, and twenty-four teams, thir¬ 
teen of horses and eleven of oxen, entered to com¬ 
pete for the prizes. The time for performing the 
labor was, in consequence of the dryness of the 
earth, and heat of the morning, lengthened to an 
hour, and the skill manifested showed itself worthy 
of Berkshire plowmen. 
At eleven o’clock, the Society moved in proces¬ 
sion to the Congregational Church, to hear the re¬ 
port of awarding committees, and listen to the 
address of John S. Gould, Esq., of Stockport, N.Y. 
We would not anticipate the publication of Mr. 
Gould’s address (for we hope it will be published 
entire, and go into the hands of every farmer in the 
land), but we cannot forbear saying that it was 
what the present state of agriculture promptly de¬ 
mands—sound, pointed, and practical. 
He alluded to the exhausting system of husban¬ 
dry, which has depopulated some of the fairest por¬ 
tions of the earth That professional knowledge is 
necessary, and should be brought into continual 
practice, to prevent a continuation of such calami¬ 
ties. He conclusively showed, why so many fail¬ 
ures arise from adopting what is called book-farm¬ 
ing, and urged the importance of farmers keeping a 
strict account of their operations; and in giving 
their statements to the public, that they should be 
particular in describing soil, situation, locality. 
and all the et ceteras on which their failures or suc¬ 
cesses depended. He further urged the immediate 
introduction of agriculture as a science into all our 
common schools, by stating, that these are the in¬ 
stitutions where the great body of American farmers 
are to receive their first and final education. 
After the address, the reports of the Committees 
were read, which gave satisfactory assurances of 
the increasing interest in agricultural advancement, 
and of the flourishing condition of the county. 
The exercises at the Church closed, and the 
Society, with their guests, returned to the Berk¬ 
shire House, and partook of the excellent repast 
provided for the occasion ; after which, they sepa¬ 
rated, with much kind feeling, to their quiet homes, 
rendered dearer by the late festival, to commence 
anew their labors of preparation for another similar 
scene. W. Bacon. 
Mount Osceola , Mass ., Oct. 12th, 1846. 
Importation of Pure-Bred Merino Sheep.— 
Gentlemen desiring any information whatever in 
regard to the late importation of sheep, by Mr. 
Taintor, of Hartford, Connecticut, will please ad¬ 
dress the editor of this paper, as Mr. T. has no time 
to answer letters on this subject. The editor is also 
empowered to make sales of the male produce of 
this flock, deliverable next season. Females will 
not be for sale. Special attention is requested to 
this paragraph by all interested in the matter. 
The Late Epidemic among Horses. —It is 
known to most of our readers, that a very fatal 
epidemic has prevailed extensively, the past season, 
in the country around this city, among horses. It 
seems to have confined its attacks almost exclu¬ 
sively to pastured horses. A medical friend, in 
whose opinions we have great confidence, and who 
has made some dissections, informs us that he con¬ 
siders the malady a malarious congestive fever, 
affecting specially the head. General bleeding has 
not been useful. The treatment from which most 
advantage appeared to be derived, consisted in the 
topical abstraction of blood from the head (that is, 
bleeding about one quart), and the application of 
cold water to it, by means of cloths bound upon it; 
and internally the use of calomel, about two 
drachms daily, till the horse recovers. The disease 
has now ceased. Should it return, our friend thinks 
that the best means of preventing its ravages, will 
be to confine the horses to stables, especially dur¬ 
ing the night. 
Transplanting Trees. —A correspondent in the 
January number of the Agriculturist cautions gar¬ 
deners against transplanting trees while the sap is 
in circulation, as it cannot be done without injuring 
them. How are ignorant cultivators to know when 
a tree is in a proper state ? Are trees which lose 
their leaves annually moved more safely in autumn 
or spring ? What season is best for removing 
evergreens in the Middle States ? and why ? 
— An Inquirer. 
For information on this subject “ Inquirer” is 
referred to note on p. 224 of the current volume. 
