286 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



are being erected, while those who are provided for in that re?pect, are building 

 great barns or otherwise adding to the comfort and utility of their surroundings. 



Underdraining is receiving more attention each year, and large tracts of low 

 lands have'been redeemed and made to grow golden grain instead of willows and 

 cat-tails. Our roads are moderately good, but are capable of being made much 

 better. 



The opinion of our best farmers is that stock should be fenced in. The tradi- 

 tional rail fence still encircles a large number of oul- farms, yet in many instance* 

 it has given way to the board and wire. 



The next exhibition of this Society will be held Sept. 29, 30, and Oct. 1 and 2, 

 1885. The work is already under way, and many new improvements will be made 

 in the way of stalls for horses, cattle, sheep, etc., as well as a new Agricultural 

 Hall and other buildings, which will add much to the pleasure and comfort of ex- 

 hibitors and visitors. 



J. H. Hoffman, 



Secretary. 



PAEKE COUNTY. 



The Parke County Agricultural Society held its fifth annual fair at Eockville,. 

 commencing on the 18th day of August, and ending on the 23d. The attendance 

 was fair, and the exhibition good, especially in the live stock departments. The 

 entries were: Horses, 192; jacks and mules, 10; cattle, 37; sheep, 23; hogs, 89. 



Crops past season: Corn, average crop, qnality fine; wheat, average crop, qual- 

 ity poor; oats, average crop; potatoes, average crop; hay, large yield and Avell se- 

 cured. 



Our society, although not quite out of debt, is in a prosperous condition, hav- 

 ing dischargt>d an old debt of long standing last year, and will, with reasonable 

 patronage at the coming fair, be able to pay all debts. 



A. J. White. 



Secretary^ 



PERRY COUNTY. 



The thirteenth annual fair of the Perry County Agricultural and Mechanical 

 Association was held on the Society's grounds near Rome, Ind., on October 6, 7, 8, 

 9 and 10, 1884. We have three acres of land that cost $100 per acre. It is a 

 beautiful place. 



In the spring of '75 the Floral Hall was blown down. The society built 

 another two stories high, 30x60 feet. This year the Floral Hall was well filled, 

 especially the Ladies' Department. Their department was equal to any county 

 fair in the State. But the other was not up to some other years past, but still it 

 was tolerably good. 



