322 BOARD OP AGRICULTURE. 



This society has elected her officers for the ensuing year, revised her premium 

 list, and is getting ready for the fair of 188% Sept. 8th, 9th, lOth and 11th. Her 

 aim will be to deserve and achieve success. 



COXDITION 01 AGKICULTTJRE. 



We can make no flattering report either of progress or pro.sperity in agricul- 

 tural pursuits. The past season was not propitious for (he farmer. Hay and oata 

 were good, tobacco fair, wheat, corn, potatoes, fruit and fall crops generally about 

 a half crop. Wheat injured by freezing in late winter or early spring. Other 

 crops injured by long c.>ntinued drouth. The partial failure of crops, the exceed- 

 ing low price of farm products, together with the general su-pension or stagnation 

 of business, contributes to make times dull, money scarce, and all improvements 

 or undertakings requiring an expenditure of money, are lagging, and we have very 

 little to note in the way of improvements, or new methods in farm business. We think 

 there is a tendency on the part of farmers generally, to engage more and more in 

 stock raising, although stock in sympathy with other commodities has very mate- 

 rially declined in value. Yet it is adjudged the more profitable business for the 

 farmer, bo>h in a monetary point of view and also in reclaiming and improving 

 the soil. The area of wheat sown last fall was, perhaps, one-third less than usual, 

 is looking tolerable well at the present. 



There has been a large emigration from our country westward, during the past 

 year. Many are already returning, preferring old Hoosierdom to Kansas, Ne- 

 braska, etc. Many are willing to admit the possibility of a better country than 

 this, and yet choose to remain and sutler the evils existing here, rather than to fly 

 to others they know not of. True, this is not our ideal of a paradise, and yet it is 

 a very good country. True, we have an occasional drouth, or flood, our climate 

 is changeable, sometimes hot, sometimes cold, but generally quite healthy. Our 

 soil is mostly a clay loam and limestone land, some poor, some good, and some 

 very good, ranging in price from $10 to §100 per acre. The country afl^ords an 

 abundant subsistence for both man and beast, and with ordinary thrift and indus- 

 try a good living can be obtained, while the more energetic are accumulating prop- 

 erty. We possess many advantages and facilities, such as good markets, good 

 society, schools, churches, etc., and we are confident that persons desiring good 

 homes, might seek farther and fare much worse. The law requiring stock to be 

 kept up is very generally enforced, and gives satisfaction. Any law that would 

 lighten the burdens of taxation or prove an incentive to the industries, and gen- 

 eral business of the country, would meet our approval. 



In making this report we have tried to avoid uninteresting details or particu- 

 lars, and have dealt in generalities, making it a kind of epitome of existing facts 

 as beheld from onr standpoint, with all due respect for the opinions of others. 



Wm. H. Madlson. 



