200 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



of land in Skowhegan, enclosed the grounds, and have located their 

 annual show and fair at that place. Previous to 1857, exhibitions 

 had not been held by this society for many years. ' In 184^ was 

 incori^orated the West Somerset Society, the show of which was 

 held alternately at Madison and Anson, Within a year or two 

 they have purchased and enclosed grounds at Anson, and the exhi- 

 bitions are well attended. The North Somerset, which completes 

 the list, was incorporated in 1856. 



So far as I am informed, there are but two Farmers' Clubs in the 

 county which are permanently established. One at Norridgewock 

 instituted in 1857, and one at Anson established during the same 

 year. These societies hold meetings each week in the winter sea- 

 son, for the discussion of topics connected with agriculture, both 

 of a practical and scientific nature. Papers are often read by some 

 of the members, which bring out the results and opinions of others 

 present, and facts are communicated at each meeting which are of 

 great practical value and importance. From the records of the 

 Farmers' Club of Norridgewock, I take the following list of subjects 

 which have been talked over at previous meetings during a few 

 years. They will give some idea of the interest manifested by the 

 members for the successful working of the society : Root crops ; 

 manures and their application, four evenings ; best method of seed- 

 ing land, three evenings ; grass culture ; sheep husbandry, four 

 evenings ; farm buildings ; cultivation of corn ; fences and fencing, 

 two evenings ; horse shoeing, three evenings ; orcharding. This 

 club has also a small library, and a cabinet of minerals, and speci- 

 mens of natural history. 



It is only necessary for me to say in regard to our agricultural 

 societies, that they cannot but exert a wonderful influence in the 

 improvement of the agriculture of their own immediate vicinity, if 

 they are rightly managed and properly conducted. It is a question 

 which may be raised, but it is one which I do not propose to con- 

 sider, whether a greater benefit would not result from them if the 

 present rules of management in regard to locations, entrance fees, 

 &c., were dispensed with, or somewhat modified. 



Notwithstanding the decided improvement which has been going 

 on for many years past among farmers in the county, there is yet 

 room for greater advancement. Improvements are manifested in 

 the breeding of farm stock, which is attended to with more care and 

 attention ; in the better cultivation of the farms Avith greater 

 returns in crops and produce ; iu adapting manures and crops to 



