LINCOLN COUNTY SOCIETY. 19 



from five to eight cents per yard, sheep, in this region, were at a 

 discount, except for slaughter ; now that fabulous prices are 

 obtained for that article, our people naturally look about them for 

 a substitute, and sheep step in to furnish their share of what 

 every one must acknowledge to be a very excellent substitute for 

 "Dixie's product." 



This department, we think, should receive more encouragement 

 from our Agricultural Societies than has heretofore been awarded 

 it. Our first premium on buck (English) was awarded to Jere- 

 miah Erskine of Alna. Second, to William Taylor of Wiscasset 

 (Leicester). Collins Carlton of Alna, best six sheep, (Native). 

 William Taylor, second best six sheep, (Leicester). There were 

 placed upon exhibition, by Alexander Johnston, Esq., of Wiscas- 

 set, one imported buck and two ewes — a cross between the Cheviot 

 and Leicester — fine looking animals they were, and attracted much 

 attention from all interested in sheep raising. To Mr. Johnston 

 the thanks of this community are due for the interest he has taken 

 in introducing pure blood sheep into this county. 



There were several entries of swine, all in excellent condition. 

 Of the different breeds, the Suffolk and Leicester are generally 

 preferred. 



Turkeys, geese, ducks and hens were exhibited in abundance, 

 causing all epicures who examined them to regret that Governor 

 Coburn's Thanksgiving was not appointed at an earlier day. 



Dairy Products. This department was meagre indeed ; six 

 entries only, of butter, and none of cheese. 



Field Crops. Lincoln county does not seem to be well adapted 

 to the cultivation of corn. It is a rare thing that a good crop of 

 corn is raised in this region. Whether the cause is to be found 

 in the soil, climate, or mode of cultivation, I am unable to decide. 

 Occasionally a farmer raises a large crop, well ripened ; this, how- 

 ever, is the exception and not the rule. 



The barley crop we judge to be the one best adapted to this 

 locality, from the fact that it is more extensively raised than any 

 other, and with better success. There have been shipped from this 

 port alone (Waldoboro') about eight thousand bushels within the 

 past four weeks, and this, I have been informed, is less than has 

 been shipped from several other places within the limits of this 

 society. 



The oat crop is not neglected in this county, being second only 



