SECRETARY'S REPORT. 15 



g-ood exhibition of manufactured articles. The effect of the Society 

 was beneficial in every branch. 



Mr. Moore of West Somerset said the influence of the Society 

 was evident in the improvement of stock and of farms. The last 

 fair was superior to any before. There was a fine exhibition of 

 stock. The grade Durham prevails and is preferred. Wool raising 

 is extensively carried on. The Spanish Merino is chiefly grown. 

 The town of Anson alone sold last year between $13,000 and $14,- 

 000 worth. The exhibition of domestic manufactures was good, 

 and there is an increased zeal in all departments of agriculture. 

 Underdraining has not been extensively practiced, but has received 

 some attention. Until last year no premiums had been offered on 

 crops. Efforts are plainly visible in every section of the county to 

 improve in all branches of husbandry. 



Mr. Stackpole of West Penobscot, said the Society last year 

 offered premiums amounting to $384.50. The show of neat stock 

 was not large, but very good. There was some full blood Durham 

 and Devon stock recently brought into the county ; also horses — 

 as good carriage and team horses, as can be found in the State. 

 Of swine and sheep, there was a fair exhibition of very good ani- 

 mals. Our farmers do not keep sheep enough. More sheep and 

 fewer horses would be better for the farmers of Penobscot. The 

 products of the dairy fully sustained the high reputation so justly 

 accorded to the ladies of West Penobscot. Good specimens of 

 apples, pears, plums and grapes were on the tables. The display 

 of vegetables was large and very perfect. The importance of a 

 vegetable garden is better appreciated by our farmers than form- 

 erly. A greater breadth of land was put into cultivation last year 

 than ever before, and the husbandman has received a bountiful 

 reward for his labor. The crop of hay was very good ; corn was 

 grown to the amount of llOf bushels per acre. Wheat was not 

 sown by many, but where sown produced well ; barley was a good 

 crop ; 62 bushels per acre was harvested by one man ; oats were 

 very good, 74 bushels by one man, and 12 by another were raised 

 from one acre of ground. Potatoes produced well, and were not 

 troubled with the rot. This is a very important crop with us. It 

 is said that there were shipped last fall from the port of Bangor 

 alone, 100,000 bushels, at 40 cents per bushel, and there will prob- 

 ably be as many more shipped in the spring, 



Mr. Martin of Androscoggin, reported their Society in a flour- 

 ishing condition, and exerting a happy influence in improving the 



