824 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



a mistake^in the management. It is a feature of this fair, that the exhibits are 

 mostly made by " amateurs,'' as it were, and not by professional "premium takers," 

 thus encouraging general improvement among the producers of this section much 

 more than would otherwise be the case. No animal or article is allowed to receive 

 more than one first premium. They may enter as often as they choose, but when- 

 ever a first premium is awarded, the animal is supposed to have filled its class, and 

 has received the highest honor and must stand aside and give othei-s a chance. No 

 premiums are paid for speed. No liquors or gambling are permitted, nor can be 

 under the present articles of association. We admire fine horses, good movers 

 good roadsters, and all that, and premiums are given for the encouragement of 

 those qualiiies, but we do not believe that the best interests of agriculture is best 

 served by awarding large premiums to "jockeys," and perhaps on ill-shaped or 

 blemished animals (the only point in the contest being to " get there,") from which 

 competition all but "professionals" are practically excluded. Believing that an 

 agricultural fair should afTord facilities for a general exchange and sale of prod- 

 ucts, as well as to award premiums on meritorious articles, the association held a 

 fltock sale on the last day of its first and second fairs ; also, extended an invitation 

 to all legitimate industries to bring of their manufactures, wares, etc., and adver- 

 tise the same and sell on the grounds, thus benefiting themselves and making it an 

 object financially for people to visit the fair; but those interested have not " caught 

 on," to any considerable extent, and the good results hoped for have not been real- 

 ized. Mixed farming greatly predominates in this section. The corn crop of 1884 

 was considerably below the average, though it is of excellent quality. 



Wheat was good, both as to quantity and quality, but the price (70 ctnts per 

 bushel) is below the cost of production. Oats and flax were good. Early potatoes 

 were good, but owing to dry weather the yield of late varieties was light. The yield 

 of small fruits was good, but the larger kinds, owing to insects and the loss of many 

 orchards from freezing, are not very plentiful. 



Plank, wire, and hedge fences are fast taking the place of the old '• worm " fence. 

 The fence most in favor at this time is made of both boards and wire, thus avoid- 

 ing the danger to stock resulting from the use of wire alone. As to fencing stock 

 " out or in," the rule is to fence them out, if possible. There is not much agitation 

 of the question. 



There has been some hog cholera iu our section during the past year, and remedy, 

 we have none, except preventive, in the way of cleanliness, frequent change of pas- 

 ture, change of feed, etc. 



The draining of wet land progresses rapidly, and land is now being drained 

 which was once considered good enough without. 



The clearing of timber land still goes on, and the mania for cutting off the 

 undergrowth and thinning out for pasture (which must inevitably result in the 

 clearing of the land) continues. It is noticeable in such cases, that the grass does 

 not do quite as well as vyas exp^-cted. The storms take down some of the best tim- 

 ber, and as there is no young growth coming on, the owner soon concludes to clear 

 it up. In this way much land will soon be cleared that should not be, and was not 

 BO intended by the owners when the shrubbing began. Perhaps it is not wisdom 



