Wh}' this difference? Caa it be possible that the farms of this 

 beautiful Connecticut valley, are diminishing in productiveness? 

 That the farmers cannot cultivate the land as advantageously and 

 profitably as their predecessors? 



That they cannot grow stock worthy of exhibition? That they 

 have never acquired the art of making good bread, butter and cheese? 

 Every fanner would emphatically deny this. 



Then I ask why this difference? When we have agricultural col- 

 leges and experimental stations in our midst ; when we have 

 improved machinery to plant, cultivate and harvest the farm crops; 

 when we have papers devoted to the science of agriculture to read 

 at our fireside ; when manufacturers liave their farms in connection 

 with other business ; when physicians have their stables of fine bred 

 horses ; when eminent lawyers enter the court room with the pedi- 

 gree of their stock in one hand and briefs in the other ; in short 

 when everything is done that can be to help on agriculture, and every 

 one is interested in it ; why should not our Fair be equal to those held 

 thiity-five years ago? 



Is it because the members have lost their interest in the welfare of 

 the Society? Then I ask every member, what shall be done lo renew 

 that interest and make our Fair the most successful and instructive? 

 This is a grave question at the present time and demands the careful 

 consideration of every member. 



The comparisons that I have made are not for the purpose of 

 casting reflection upon our Fair this year, but I desire to impress 

 upon the members the painful, yet indisputable fact, that the interest 

 in and attendance to our exhibition is gradually decreasing, and that 

 they are called upon to exert every effort to assist in bringing our 

 Fairs back to what the}' were a quarter of a century ago. 



The finances of the Society can be learned by an examination of 

 the treasurer's report. Water pipes have been laid this year and 

 water introduced on the ground and into the hall, it being the inten- 

 tion of the officers to vent the ground for pasture. 



The required number of institutes were held during the winter and 

 were well attended and many important questions discussed. Of the 

 Fair this year it was equal to that of last, which all admit was 

 excellent. The hall was well filled. The vegetables and fruit dis- 

 played were remarkably fine. Outside the hall the poultry exhibit 

 was large and some fine specimens were shown. The exhibition of 

 stock was worthy of examination. 



