13 EAST KENNEBEC SOCIETY. 



combined, which possesses several points of merit. Among other 

 contributors to this class were Joseph Percival of Waterville, 

 Jabez Lewis and J. R. Grossman of China. 



An Address was delivered in the Hall on the second day of the 

 Exhibition, by Hon. T. S. Lang of Vassalborough, which was 

 listened to with marked attention by all — the Hall being crowded, 

 and large numbers being unable to gain an entrance. 



Farmer's are beginning to appreciate the importance of agricul- 

 tural reading, and it is a matter of encouragement ; one member of 

 this Society stated that he should be unwilling to part with a 

 copy of the Maine Agricultural Reports for twenty-five dollars if 

 unable to obtain another. And there is at present an observable 

 interest in the formation of "Farmers' Clubs;" and we feel posi- 

 tive, that the law requiring Agricultural Societies to expend a 

 fourth part of the stipend allowed by the State in their formation, 

 will bring about a much needed reform. 



Crops and the Season. The spring opened late and cold, and 

 ittle was done at farming in April. May came in cold, yet sow- 

 ing and planting was generally finished during the month. June 

 was cold throughout, being colder by several degrees than the 

 average of the past thirty years. July was an unusually dry, cold 

 month, yet the heavy dews and the great amount of fogs, pre- 

 vented vegetation from suffering from the absence of rain. The 

 month of August was dry and cool. September was warm and 

 dry ; during this month, two gales of remarkable severity occurred, 

 that of the 8th was the most violent that has been known in this 

 section for years, and immense damage was done by it. Altogether 

 the season may be recorded as cold and dry, remarkable for the 

 absence of thunder showers, — for the occurrence of tempests, — 

 for unseasonable snows, — and for extremes of heat and cold. 



The hay crop in this section, fell off" one-fourth in bulk, but is of 

 excellent quality, and was secured in good condition ; hay is 

 bringing a remunerative price, yet stock is low, and it is ques- 

 tionable economy to sell either off" the farm at present prices. 

 •Corn suffered much in consequence of late planting, and the dry, 

 cool summer. Early planted potatoes gave a good crop, but those 

 planted late suffered from drouth and rust. The grain crops have 

 done well, — we hear good reports from oats, barley and wheat ; 

 the quality of the latter is unusually good, with little complaint 

 from rust or midge. The yield of apples is less than half a crop. 



