ANDROSCOGGIN AGRICULTURAL AND HORTICULTURAL 



SOCIETY. 



The Annual Cattle Show and Fair of our Society was held at 

 Mechanic Falls, September 25th and 26th, 18*72. It was feared the 

 change of location of the Exhibition might cause a falling oif in 

 the interest necessary to sustain the organization creditably and 

 successfully ; but the apprehension proved to have been entirely 

 uufounded. 



Never, since the institution of the Society, has so fine and large 

 a display of neat cattle and horses been exhibited ; and we are 

 confident that no similar organization in the country has ever pro- 

 duced a finer exhibition in this respect. Farmers have learned 

 that many useful suggestions may be obtained, and much practical 

 knowledge gained, by comparing the products of their farms, at 

 these yearly gatherings. This is conclusively evinced in the im- 

 proved breeds of horses and cattle. 



The exhibition of poultry, sheep, and swine, compared favor- 

 ably with that of any former Shows. The paucity of specimens in 

 this department of our Shows seems to be not on account of 

 neglect in caring for and improving their stock of these animals, 

 but to the trouble and care incident upon their exhibition ; and for 

 this the Society is, in part, at fault. Suitable provisions should be 

 made for taking care of whatever may be exhibited. 



The hay crop disappointed many of our farmers. The falling 

 off, during the past two years and the barren aspect of the fields, 

 at the opening of spring, seemed to prognosticate a lighter crop 

 than ever before. Happily, the abundant rains invigorated the 

 dried up roots, and we have gathered more than the usual crop. 



Corn has yielded an average crop. Grain has exceeded the 

 average yield. 



Many varieties of fruit were displayed. This interest is un- 

 doubtedly improving, both in the abundance and quality of its 

 products, faster than any other department of farming. 



On account of the wet season the potato crop has been light, 

 falling below the average yield. The vegetables and garden pro- 

 ducts exhibited show that this branch of husbandry is not neg- 



