250 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



Oar society is well organized and fully equipped for bupiness, and we are ready 

 to give a good fair every year, with liberal premiums, and to guarantee the pay- 

 ment of premiums in full, whenever the opposing society shall disband or unite 

 with us by taking a fair share of our stock. 



RrcHARD Thomas, 



Secretary Bartholomew County ApricuUural Society. 



BARTHOLOMEW COUNTY. 



The quality of the crops in Bartholomew county the last year was much better 

 than the year before. A prominent milling firm of Columbus estimates the in- 

 crease in quality at 30 per cent. Though the quality is better prices have ranged 

 lower, wheat going down to less than 70 cents and corn to 30 cents. Wheat is now 

 firm at 70 ctnts and upward, while corn is advancing slowly. Most of the farmers 

 who could afford it stored their wheat rather than take 80 cents at threshing time. 

 Many have sold, taking much less than 80 cents. There is a home demand for 

 more corn and wheat than the farmers of the county can spare. 



There has been quite an improvement in the character of farm buildings in the 

 past few years. 



On nearly every road in the county may be seen fine large dwelling houses, in 

 contrast with the little old log or frame houses standing near. Also, more conve- 

 nient and capacious barn;* are taking the place of the old ones. Many farmers 

 have buildings for the sole purpose of storing grain or tools, and every new barn 

 is arranged for the use of the modern hay elevators. 



The wire fence is gaining in favor. Those now put up are much more complete 

 and substantial than those first constructed 



The farmers who live on the clay lands, and who are able to spare the money, 

 do some draining each year. A more systematic method of drainage is pursued — 

 many making it a point to sink lines of tile at stated distances in a certain field 

 one year, and in another the next, thus making the work complete as they go. 

 They favor the use of larger sizes of tile than formerly. 



The question of timber culture is discussed with reference to the West rather 

 than here. The rapid decrease of timber is beginning to be felt, however, and the 

 land owner that goes to the forest for a stick of timber is more careful in his selec- 

 tion. The fine walnut trees of a few years ago are nearly all gone. The poplar is 

 fast disappearing, and not one large ash in three is perfectly sound. There are over 

 one hundred miles of gravel road in the county, the average rates of toll being 

 about 2| cents per mile for two-horse teams. There are only a few miles of free 

 gravel roads. 



The Bartholomew County Agricultural and Industrial Assaciation held its sec- 

 ond annual fair on the grounds of the Bartholomew County Agricultural Society,, 

 ■on September 16th to the 20th inclusive. In spite of politics the show was a cred- 

 itable one. Show of horses was good, there being 18 entries for heavy draft ; 55 



