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EAST OXFORD SOCIETY. 



■were shown. It speaks well for the farmers of East Oxford. 

 There were two entries for flocks of sheep ; seven entries for 

 bucks. A one-year old buck, entered by Charles Kiebeber of 

 Dixfield Center, the weight of which was 240 lbs., received the 

 first premium. The entries for horses and colts were the largest 

 that was ever made in this Society in one year. Fine samples of 

 corn, wheat, rye and beans were exhibited. I think it would be 

 well for farmers to raise more corn and wheat, and not go West to 

 buy so much corn and flour. Good samples of potatoes, beets, 

 cabbage and pumpkins, were on exhibition. The potato crop was 

 light, not an average crop. Fruit received its merited interest, 

 and the samples were more numerous than could have been ex- 

 pected. But very few trees escaped the ravages of the caterpil- 

 lars. In view of the threatened destruction of the orchards and the 

 great value of its fruit, we wish such premiums might be offered 

 as would induce fruit growers to kill off all the caterpillars. John 

 J. Towle of Dixfield, had on exhibition forty-five varieties of apples 

 and six varieties of grapes. The ladies' department was not up 

 to what we would like to see it. 



Many of our farmers go in largely to raising hops, some of them 

 growing from 4,000 to 4,500 pounds of hops yearly ; the average 

 price when sold being about thirty cents per pound. There are 

 more hops raised within the limits of this society than in the rest 

 of the State. The crop brings a large amount of money to our 

 farmers yearly. 



In reviewing the products of the farm as compared with last 

 year, I will report as follows : The hay crop was abundant, of 

 good quality, harvested in good condition, and in every respect 

 all that could be wished. Taken altogether we have no reason to 

 complain ; our crops as far as my observation extends, will com- 

 pare favorably with other sections of the State. We feel satisfied 

 that the agricultural interests should be fostered, and receive the 

 hearty cooperation of the farmers of our county, very much more 

 than is now manifested. We have many good farmers who do 

 not seem disposed to aid our society in its efforts to cherish the 

 enterprise, thereby throwing the burden on a few persons instead 

 of the many. 



