PREFACE. 



It is among the legitimate objects of Agricultural Societies 

 not only to encourage the production and exhibition at their 

 Shows and Fairs of the best animals, implements and articles, 

 and thus to impart instruction and excite emulation among 

 those who witness them, but also to collect and diffuse valuable 

 information on subjects connected with husbandry among all 

 who either may or may not be able to be present at the annual 

 exhibitions. This latter object can, in a good degree, be accom- 

 plished by the adjudging committees incorporating into their 

 reports the results of reflection, observation and experience, 

 upon the several subjects with which they are supposed to be 

 familiar j and it is greatly to be regretted that so many of the 

 committees seem to think their task completed by the simple 

 announcement of their awards. To arrive at satisfactory de- 

 cisions, is as much as can be reasonably expected of any during 

 the hurry and bustle of a Fair day, but a little tliought and 

 painstaking j5rerzoi<sZ^, might result in making the reports not 

 merely a simple list of awards, but documents of value, and 

 worthy general distribution among the farmers fcf the State. 



While it is highly proper that Agricultural Societies should 

 each publish its own transactions, and thus circulate among 

 all interested therein, the awards of premiums, gratuities, 

 &c., which may be made, it can hardly be expected that the 

 iState should i)ub]ish for geiieral distr-ibiiiion the decisions of 

 committees as to the merits of Mrs. A. in Aroostook, of Mrs. 

 B. in Kennebec, and of Mrs. C. in York, in the matter of bread, 

 butter and cheese making, or of the farm stock and crops of 

 their husbands ; but if, in the reports of the committees, or in 

 the statements of competitors, there be found that which is of 

 interest and value to the agricultural community at large, there 



