WESTERN PISCATAQUIS SOCIETY. 163 



The articles exhibited in the hall were of excellent quality and 

 attractively arranged. Farm and garden vegetables were repre- 

 sented in a thorough and satisfactory manner. Although we have 

 again been scourged with caterpillars, still the display of fruit was 

 greater than the most sanguine could have expected. This is 

 owing to the interest which our farmers have taken in procuring 

 and planting superior kinds of apple trees within the past ten or 

 twelve years, — many young orchards having commenced to bear. 

 With z-egard to the domestic department I have this to say, viz., 

 that the display was all that could be desired ; the maids and 

 matrons of North Franklin fully sustained their ancient reputation 

 for intelligence, industry and skill in the various branches of their 

 handiwork. 



WESTERN PISCATAQUIS SOCIETY. 



By J. F. Thombs, Secretary. 



Notwithstanding the many difficulties imder which this Society 

 has had to labor for the past few years, its exhibition, holden at 

 Monson village, September 28th and 29th, 1876, was quite suc- 

 cessful, and the members of the Society feel greatly encouraged 

 in their labors. 



The season has not been one of the best for the farmer in this 

 part of the county, the spring being late and cold, with frequent 

 heavy rains, which retarded the work of putting in the crops, the 

 one extreme being followed by another. Finally the weather 

 came off hot and dry so that many crops suffered from the drouth, 

 which on the whole made the returns of the season somewhat less 

 than usual, although fair crops have been harvested where the 

 farmer has been faithful in the discharge of his requirements. 



Hay was rather less than last year, but was harvested in much 

 better condition. Wheat was fair and of very good quality. 

 Corn yielded light, but ripened in good shape. Potatoes were 

 under an average yield, but of the very best quality ; and other 

 crops in like proportion. Fruit of all kinds was plenty. 



This part of the county has been so largely engaged in the 

 lumber and slate manufacture that agriculture has been somewhat 

 neglected, but the tide is slowly turning and the interest in farm- 



