160 KENNEBEC COUNTY SOCIETY. 



One of the hindrances to our greater success is the fact that the 

 fair is a "travelling show," going from town to town each year, 

 and the receipts are nearly all absorbed in fitting up grounds and 

 rooms for exhibition. At the present time Jefferson, with its 

 Park, is the only town in the county with facilities to obviate this 

 unavoidable expenditure ; but this town, being in an extreme part 

 of the county, would accommodate only a small part of the towns, 

 while a large proportion, being so remote would be left out in the 

 cold. 



The receipts this year were not up to last year, owing to the 

 rain storm the last day ; but the amount of premiums awarded 

 were double those of each of the three years previous. 



KENNEBEC COUNTY. 

 By George A. Russell, Secretary. 



The year ending the first Wednesday of December, 1876, has 

 been, on the whole, favorable to the agriculturist ; and the farmers 

 within our limits have well stored barns and granaries as a result 

 of their season's labor. 



The hay crop was better than the average yield, of excellent 

 quality and well secured. Wheat was below the average in yield, 

 but of superior quality ; while barley and oats were both abund- 

 ant and heavy. Potatoes were injured by the drouth during the 

 months of July and August, but make up the deficiency in bush- 

 els, in some measure, by their extra fine quality for table purposes 

 and high price in the market. The season has been most propi- 

 tious for corn, and the cribs are crowded with the long, yellow, 

 well-filled ears, giving evidence that the farmers are returning to 

 their former practice of raising their own corn, instead of sending 

 such vast sums to the West, with no corresponding increase in 

 other crops to make good the deficiency ; a practice well worthy 

 of imitation throughout the State and encouragement by every 

 agricultural society in the land. The raising of beets and turnips 

 is receiving considerable attention for stock purposes, and in my 

 judgment should be especially encouraged, as valuable forage 

 assistants and in the highest degree beneficial to the animals 

 through the long winters to which we are subjected. The fruit 



