WEST OXFORD SOCIETY. 29 



usual amount. Indian corn, one-third below an average, though 

 better than expected in August. Potatoes, light yield and affected 

 by rot. Oats, good. Wheat yielded well, but a less breadth was 

 sown than for some years previous. 



WEST OXFORD AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



The Nineteenth Exhibition of this Society was held at Frye- 

 burg, October r2th 13th aud 14th. 



By reason of the almost unprecedented ravages of the freshet 

 on the Saco the week previous, damaging many of the public 

 highways and injuring private property, many farmers anxious 

 to be present were obliged to remain at home ; and again, at the 

 opening of the second day — usually the most interesting of the 

 three — the rain poured in torrents, overflowing a second time 

 the low lands and impeding travel. The last day, however, 

 dawned with pleasant skies, and by noon the enclosure was filled 

 with visitors to nearly its usual second day's capacity, and what 

 at first promised almost a failure proved quite a success — the 

 receipts nearly attaining the amount of last year, when they were 

 considerably above the average of former years. 



The entries, particularly of live stock, were less numerous than 

 would have been, but for the circumstances above mentioned. 

 The amount offered for premiums for neat stock was $251, while 

 the amount awarded was $53.75 only, against $106.50 a year ago. 

 The amount offered for horses was $75.50, and the amount 

 awarded $53.75. Of crops, that of hay proved very abundant 

 within the limits of this society, comprising as it does some of the 

 most fertile alluvial soil in Oxford county. The same may be said 

 of oats ; but corn was less satisfactory, owing to the cold and 

 backward Spring, and continued raw, chilling winds, and an 

 abundance of rain throughout the season, not half an average crop 

 was realized in this region. Under greater inducements offered in 

 accordance with instructions from the Board of Agricultui-e for 

 the culture of wheat, some extra acres have been sown the past 

 season, and several very nice samples were shown. The Arnautka, 

 recently distributed from Washington, has done very well in this 

 section, and it is thought will prove a valuable variety. Potatoes 



