SECRETARY'S REPORT. 13 



Leicesters. Improvement in bnilding- was noticeable. He knew 

 one farmer whose barns cost $2,500, and another who had a barn 

 worth $1,000. 



Mr. Cushman of Penobscot and Aroostook Union said that the 

 Society although not in so flourishing condition as he could wish, 

 was annually gaining in importance and strength, as indicated by 

 the magnitude of the shows, and the improved condition of the 

 stock and articles on exhibition. The stock of neat cattle was 

 larger and of better quality than before ; there were some very fine 

 grade animals, large in size, and beautiful in form — some of two 

 years old, girting about seven feet, although the native stock 

 greatly predominates. The stock of horses was large. Many fine 

 and valuable animals were on exhibition. Also fine sheep, of large 

 size, heavy fleece, and valuable for mutton. Increased attention is 

 paid to that bx'anch of husbandry. Very good specimens of garden 

 vegetables, and of fruit, were shown. The ladies' department was 

 proof that they do not come within the implication, sometimes of 

 late years, cast upon the fairer sex, that "they toil not, neither do 

 they spin," for a large amount of firm, heavy, and valuable cloths, 

 spun and woven by themselves, were on exhibition, and a very 

 respectable display of fancy articles. The Society paid out more 

 money the past year than ever before. 



Mr. Bean of North Aroostook reported decided progress in his 

 vicinity, and that it was largely due to the influence of the Society 

 and to the reports of the Board, by bringing the fertile soil of 

 Aroostook to the notice of those abroad. Population is rapidly 

 increasing, and the log cabin is giving way to larger and more 

 commodious buildings. The crops of the past year were good, but 

 as the premiums ofiered were small on account of limited means, 

 the reports of committees did»not nearly embrace all the best. As 

 instances which had fallen within his observation he gave the fol- 

 lowing : 



J. Grouse of Stony Brook, from 2| bushels of oats sown, raised 

 146^ bushels. Jacob Hardison of Lyndon raised 190 bushels of 

 potatoes from one-half acre. Messrs. Ham & Todd of Maysville 

 gathered 98| bushels of wheat from 2| acres of burnt land, and 27 

 bushels of rye from 30 quarts sown. A. Kennedy of Maysville 

 obtained 50 bushels of barley from two bushels sown May 10th, 

 and 85 bushels of oats were sometimes cut upon one acre. Henry 

 Kolfe of Maysville presented a potato weighing 3 pounds 9 ounces. 



