AGEICULTUKAL SOCIETIES. 407 



neglect ; but it is somewhat nearer to us, and more 

 accessible from our British ports, chiefly through vessels 

 which bring the yearly supplies of timber to the British 

 islands. 



Agricultural improvement is not unthought of even 

 here. I crossed over this afternoon to the north side of 

 the harbour, to be present at an agricultural show for 

 the western part of the county. There were altogether 

 130 articles exhibited — cattle, some Durhams, but chiefly 

 Ayrshires ; sheep, and horses, which were very creditable 

 to so new a country. The potatoes, turnips, and cab- 

 bages, &c., also were all excellent. It is complained, as 

 in some parts of the States, that the market for mutton 

 does not increase so fast as the production of sheep. 

 The societies, therefore, are beginning to agitate the 

 propriety of encouraging the introduction and rearing of 

 merinos, for the sake of the wool, or, in the meantime, 

 as more immediately attainable, of a cross between the 

 Leicester and the South Down. 



If not always a sure indication of progress, this exis- 

 tence of agricultural societies in all these remote places 

 is a sign that, in the minds of a certain number of per- 

 sons, there exists a desire to progress. There are two 

 of these societies in this remote Canadian county of 

 Bonaventure, and others in the county of Gaspe. The 

 Canadian Legislature add £3 to every £1 which is 

 subscribed by the members of a society, provided that 

 the whole sum given to the county from the pro- 

 vincial purse do not exceed £160 a-year. Thus, £25 

 raised on the spot secure £100 to give away in prizes. 

 Each great district, also — of which there are four in 

 Lower Canada — receives in succession the large grant of 

 £500, which is given in prizes at the great quadrennial 

 shows held in succession in these several districts. The 

 district of Montreal has the advantage of this grant dur- 

 ing the present year. 



