820 BOARD OP AGRICULTURE. 



PLAINFIELD HOETICULTURAL AND AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



On September 3d, 4th and 5th this society held its annual fair, after considera- 

 ble expense and labor to get the grounds in order. The weather was dry and 

 dusty, but the preparations for water was ample, and shade plenty, so that all were 

 reasonably well accommodated. The exhibition was better, in most respects, than 

 expected (our society being young in the fair enterprise), there being about six 

 hundred and seventy entries in the several departments. As well as we can sum- 

 marize, the condition of agriculture in our vicinity, it is as follows: 



Wheat below an average crop, quality only fair, with price so low that there has 

 been a smaller crop sown this fall than usual. Condition of growing crop at pres- 

 ent pretty good. 



Oats crop good. 



Hay abundant, with quite a surplus left over from last year. 



The corn crop matured very nicely, and was housed in good condition. The 

 drouth shortened the crop a little, but there is no scarcity of good, sound com in 

 this district. 



Hogs have not been very healthy the past season, some cholera prevailing. 



Sheep in good condition. Flocks considerably reduced. 



Cattle in good health, and come into winter in fair flesh, the fall pastures being 

 excellent and the weather fine until late in the winter. 



Horses have mostly done well during the year, except that a serious throat dis- 

 ease prevailed to some extent during the late autumn. Some cases fatal. 



Poultry has not done as well this season as usual, some disease prevailing, 

 hawks and foxes taking a small per cent. 



The practical working of the road law is not giving entire satisfaction. The 

 roads have not been much improved for a few years. 



Improvements in building and fencing rather neglected at present, on account 

 of the closeness of finances. 



The game law meets with almost universal disapproval. 



As the insects and birds become more and more deleterious to the interests of 

 fruit growing, and the price of grain has become so low, there is an increased incli- 

 tion on the part of farmers to graze more and plow less. 



Milk dairying is receiving increased attention of late. 



Daniel Cox, 



Wm. H. Mills, President. 



Seoretary. 



. SOUTHEASTERN AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



Our fair the past year was held the first week in August, the earliest period we 

 have ever tried to hold an exhibition. 



Having been "frozen out" of the Southeastern Indiana Fair Circuit, our Board 

 of Directors made the attempt to get-in ahead of our competitor in our own county 



