WEST WASHINGTON SOCIETY. I73 



Society. The attendance on the last day was not so large as that 

 of some of the former shows, yet it was, perhaps, as large as the 

 average, and the fair might justly be considered successful. The 

 farm products on exhibition were much finer and in much larger 

 quantities than at any previous show of this Society. The live 

 stock was in excellent condition and driven up in greater numbers 

 than usual ; their fine appearance adding much to the interest of 

 the exhibition. The evidence was unmistakable, at this show, 

 that the influence of this Society will result in a general improve- 

 ment of the agricultural operations of the people within its limits. 

 There is an increasing manifestation from year to year that the 

 farmers are determined to spare no pains to improve in the culti- 

 vation of their lands, to secure the best breed of stock, to culti- 

 vate the best paying crops, and to adopt that system of farm 

 management which shall result in the greatest improvement of 

 their farms, and best remunerate them for their labor. The people 

 in attendance were never more orderly, or showed greater in- 

 terest or determination on their part to make the exhibition suc- 

 cessful ; and I think I may safely say they were well rewarded 

 for their eiforts, in the satisfaction derived from looking upon so 

 fine a display of farm productions and fancy articles of domestic 

 handiwork. 



There was exhibited a collection of articles of ancient manu- 

 facture, some of them of great antiquity, which added not a little 

 to the interest of the occasion. The productions of the dairy was 

 not quite so largely entered as at some former shows, there being 

 no cheese on exhibition. The establishment of a cheese factory 

 in this vicinity would give a now impetus to this branch of in- 

 dustry. 



The season was very favorable to agricultural operations. Some 

 crops on high ground suffered a little from want of moisture, but 

 not enough to prevent an average yield. The spring was very 

 favorable for planting, and more land was cultivated than before 

 for many years. The weather was very favorable for securing the 

 hay crop, and an average quantity was cut and housed in excellent 

 condition. There will be no scarcity of fodder for the stock that 

 will be wintered. Owing to the general depression in business 

 and scarcity of money, stock is bringing a less price than it has 

 for many years, consequently the numoer wintered will be larger 

 than usual. The potato crop was excellent in yield, and very fine 

 in quality ; market good, and price remunerating. More has been 



