SECRETARY'S REPORT. 13 



In reference to his society he said that much improvement had 

 been made in stock. Some opposition was manifested to the Jersey 

 stock, but a change of opinion is taking place in regard to its value. 

 It is now highly esteemed for dairy purposes. The Devon has been 

 largely introduced, people like the idea of a uniform color for match- 

 ing. The Durhams are in higher esteem generally than any other 

 stock. My own preferences are for other breeds, believing that 

 smaller and more compact stock, are more profitable than the over- 

 grown. He was not in favor of large cattle for working purposes ; 

 he thought the experience at the late state fair demonstrated that 

 smaller cattle were more efficient, active and useful. 



Mr. Stackpole of West Penobscot, spoke of his society as flour- 

 ishing. The territory is small, comprising only thirteen towns. It 

 consists of two hundred eight members — receiving three hundred 

 sixty-three dollars from all sources, and paying out for premiums 

 two hundred fifty-eight dollars. Crops within the limits of the 

 society have increased fifty per cent. Good crops of corn, potatoes 

 and some kinds of grain — some of barley as high as fifty-seven 

 bushels to the acre. Buckwheat is getting to be a valuable crop. 

 We raise as large crops of corn, I think as in any part of the state, 

 eighty bushels to the acre being not an uncommon crop, and sixty 

 bushels are raised by most farmers who pay proper attention to its 

 cultivation. Some of our corn crops received premiums at the state 

 fair. Wheat is very uncertain with us. The midge and rust injure 

 it so that it is not sown so much as a few years ago. Barley, oats 

 and peas are valuable, and are raised by most farmers with success. 

 We are extensively engaged in rearing stock. Horses are raised by 

 many farmers, and I think we produce as good horses as can be 

 found in any state in the Union, but in my opinion too many are 

 raised for profit. There have been some good Short Horn and 

 Devon cattle introduced, and great interest is taken in the improve- 

 ment of stock. We have not kept so many sheep as we might, but 

 farmers are becoming convinced that they are very profitable, and 

 will probably increase their flocks. 



Dairies receive no special interest, but in this and also in some 

 other respects we are sure of a better time coming. 



Mr. Rice of West Oxford said the greatest want was suitable 

 markets, and in this light regarded the increase of manufacturing in 



