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At the closing meeting of the season, usually about the last 

 of March, three committees of three each are appointed, whose 

 duty it is to visit farms belonging to members of the club, say 

 about 27 farms in all — 9 farms to each committee. They are 

 instructed to visit twice, once in June and once in September. 

 They examine everything pertaining to the farm-crops, weeds, 

 fences, buildings, trees, animals, &c., taking notes as they 

 find things. 



These committees report in writing at a special meeting set 

 apart for that purpose. Many of these reports are quite spicy ; 

 several liave found a place in print. They never visit a place 

 in absence of the proprietor. 



It has been the practice for several years to begin the meet- 

 ings in November, the first a basket picnic, at which the 

 members take their families, young and old. Tables are 

 spread for two or three hundred ; exercises consist of speech- 

 es, music, &c., and a good time generally. 



The club has held fourteen exhibitions, and as the result of 

 various experiments has settled down to about the following 

 plan of conducting these occasions, viz.: A ploughing match 

 in the morning ; hall opened at 11 A. M.; dinner at 1 P. M. — 

 all on time exactly ; tables set in a tent, usually 800 to 1000' 

 plates ; eatables provided by the ladies ; admission by tickets. 



After spending one hour at the tables the company is called 

 to a stand (out doors) to hear the speaking. Ten to fifteen 

 distinguished speakers are secured for the occasion. This has- 

 given better satisfaction than the plan of a set address of a. 

 full hour by a single individual. 



It matters very little, either, what is talked about. The 

 idea is to have a good time. We don't expect to be instructed 

 in farm matters in this way. Short speeches, too, only are in 

 order. A first-class band is an indispensable requisite on this 

 occasion. During the afternoon exercises the tables and 

 dishes in the tent are cleared away, and everything put in 

 order for a first-class promenade concert in the evening. 



The club has never failed to make these exhibitions pay ; in 



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