AROOSTOOK COUNTY SOCIETY. 5 



The well known pride of our Aroostook farmers, in the strength, 

 speed and beauty of their horses, was evidenced as heretofore, by 

 the large number of excellent entries. The imported thorough- 

 bred stallion of Pearce Brothers, Houlton, was adjudged unriv- 

 alled for roadster stock, though at the age of 13 years his glossy 

 coat has never been soiled by a harness. Among the draft stock, 

 E. A. Lowe of Hodgdon, exhibited a yearling colt that weighed 

 915 pounds. Several fine mules were also shown. 



■ 



The Industrial and Agricultural Exhibition followed on Friday, 

 at the Town Hall, and the display was very creditable, notwith- 

 standing the rainy day. There was an increased show of apples, 

 chiefly from the towns of Hodgdon and Linneus, where upland 

 farms favor their culture. 



The address was delivered by Rev. Edwin S. Elder of Houlton, 

 and subsequently published in the local press, in compliance with 

 a desire to extend more generally the profit and pleasure derived 

 by all who listened thereto. 



The trials of speed were to have occupied Saturday ; but on ac- 

 count of bad weather and conflicting meetings, this part of the 

 programme was postponed, and ultimately given up. There seems 

 now to be a growing feeling in favor of dispensing entirely with 

 trotting exhibitions in connection with our annual meeting. 



The past season proved only moderately successful in farming 

 interests of this region. The spring opened favorably, and opera- 

 tions progressed well until a considerable portion of the abundant 

 hay crop was secured ; but the remainder of the season was bur- 

 dened with abundant rain falls, which did much injury to grain 

 crops, especially during harvest, and caused a serious rotting of po- 

 tatoes. The reputation of our county for a superlative product of 

 potatoes for table use, has become well established in the city 

 markets ; but this year, while there exists no scarcity, it is diffi- 

 cult to obtain any of usual excellence. The late coming of frost 

 favored the full ripening of corn and lesser products, which fre- 

 quently find our Aroostook summers rather brief for maturing. 



The sum of $65 was set apart from the State Bounty money of 

 1872, and allotted to premiums for Farm Improvements, to be 

 awarded in 1874, in accordance with the direction of the State 

 Board of Agriculture. 



Jas. Frank Holland, Secretary, 



