WEST OXFORD SOCIETY. ' 19 



WEST OXFORD AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



The twenty-second Annual Exhibition of this Society was held 

 on their grounds in Fryeburg, October 8th, 9th and 10th, 18f2. 

 The first day proved very rainy and extension of time was given for 

 entering animals and articles till noon of the next day. The 

 second and third days proved more pleasant, and crowds came in 

 larger numbers than at any previous exhibition. 



The show of neat stock was considered the best ever seen on 

 these grounds, the towns of Fryeburg and Denmark especially, 

 vieing with each other in presenting the greatest number and the 

 best animals. The premium list shows a sharp competition in this 

 department, and the amount of awards was $123. 



Among the horses, many entries were made for trotting, which 

 was spirited, well contested, and exciting ; a new and one-third 

 mile track had been made, which gave great satisfaction to the 

 horse-men. Better time was made than ever before, whether owing 

 to fleeter animals, or better track, is a question. 



The fruit and vegetable tables were supplied bountifully. Our 

 Fairs have generally been noted for the variety and excellence of 

 fruit. Last year was an exceptional one in this respect ; but the 

 reputation has now been fully restored. 



Household manufactures, in the way of woolen fabrics, were 

 sometimes (during the economical times of the late war) better 

 represented ; but latterly greater attention has been given to the 

 manufacture of butter and cheese, and these, which can be classed 

 among the household manufactures, were exhibited in large quan- 

 tities, and of general excellence in quality. 



Of field crops, it may be said that hay in this region was much 

 better than the preceding year, though not up to a full crop. 

 The season was wet enough, but it needed more than one year for 

 grass roots to recover from the effects of a severe drought. Owing 

 to frequent storms, the crop was gathered under difficulty, and 

 some was stored in poor condition. The meadows were generally 

 uncut on account of flowage. 



Grains were rather light. Potatoes, a fair crop ; but the early 

 dug were much inclined to decay ; the Early Rose, although 

 praised for earliness, is generally condemned as a table potato. 



