24 WEST OXFORD SOCIETY. 



Swan of South Paris, entered 27 varieties of apples, 8 of pears, and 

 3 of grapes. Uriah H. Upton of Norway, entered 36 varieties of 

 apples, also pears, plums, grapes and peaches. The exhibition 

 of vegetables was large. The crop of potatoes was below the 

 average. An interesting display of domestic manufactures and 

 needle work was exhibited. Only two entries were made for crops 

 of wheat, two for corn, and one for barley. A large number of 

 traces of seed corn and pop corn were exhibited. Also specimens 

 of seed wheat, barley and oats. One of the greatest obstacles met 

 with in improving our agriciilture, is the want of interest among a 

 portion of our farmers in making permanent improvements. They 

 will bestow great attention upon some animal or some particular 

 crop, for the purpose of securing a premium, without making any 

 lasting improvements on their farms. But other farmers are mak- 

 ing permanent improvements, and produce better crops, and raise 

 better stock, and give evidence of general improvement in their 

 farming operations. 



Amount of premiums offered, $399.25 ; amount of premiums 

 awarded, $340.60. 



Elliot Smith, Secrefmy. 



WEST OXFORD AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



The Twentieth Exhibition of this Society was held in Fryeburg, 

 October 11th, 12th and 13th, 18V0. 



The regular programme was interrupted by a severe rain on the 

 second day. 



The cattle department was well filled, mainly with animals from 

 Lovell and Denmark, Fryeburg not placing in competition to any 

 great extent, though not from lack of good animals, but rather 

 from lack of the spirit of emulation on the part of owners. 



The show of horses which could be called good, was rather 

 meagre, much more so than usual. 



Owing to the storm the ladies placed on exhibition very little in 

 the line of household manufactures, except quilts, rugs and car- 

 petings. This department is usually very full. 



Butter and cheese were largely shown and of rare merit. 



Vegetables not as good as in some previous exhibitions. The 

 effect of a long and severe drought was here very noticeable. 



