• INTRODUCTORY. 21 



Sheep husbandry and wool production, to which broad sections of 

 our State -seem well adapted, are receiving increased attention. 

 This branch of stock husbandr}- is graduall3' establishing itself as a 

 specialt}' in those localities speciall}- suited to it, and much attention 

 is being given to the improvement of the flocks b}' increased care and 

 attention, and by the introduction of improved blood. 



Agricultural societies have met with a gratifying degree of suc- 

 cess in their eflbrts the past 3-ear for the encouragement of practical 

 agriculture. Generally, the exhibitions have been of a compli- 

 mentary quality and the receipts satisfactor}'. The only exceptions 

 to this are where their number in a county has been unwisely multi- 

 plied till some or all are so weakened in their patronage and support 

 that their influence is as limited as their receipts. The question 

 ma}' well be considered, whether certain count}- societies would not 

 be greatly benefited — and the cause for which they were organized 

 meet with no check — if their efljorts were consolidated. 



The State Agricultural Society is now located for a term of years 

 at Lewiston. While the exhibits there shown were complimentary 

 to the various branches of our agriculture there represented, the 

 receipts were sufficient to meet all the liabilities of the society, and 

 it now stands on a safe basis and has the confidence of the people. 

 Statistics of the operations of these societies for the past j-ear will 

 be found appended to this Report. 



The State Pomological Society and the State Dairymen's Associ- 

 ation cancelled their winter meetings last year. Representing, as 

 these societies do, two of the most important branches of our agri- 

 culture, they should receive that encouragement and that support 

 which will enable them to go on in the important work so well 

 inaugurated by them in past years. The feature of their work 

 embraced in public meetings is too important to be passed by, as 

 through it their influence is chiefl}- felt. 



