KEPOIIT OF THE PHESIDENT AKD SECRETARY. 



To THE Secretary of the Board of Agriculture. 



Sir: — In obedience to the Laws of the Commonwealth, the 

 President and Secretary of the Norfolk Agricultural Society here- 

 with make return of the doings and expenditures of said Society, 

 for the year 1854. 



The long and severe drought, which prevailed during the season 

 although not so destructive as anticipated at the period of its con 

 tinuanco, was still to a considerable degree, unfavorable to the de 

 velopments of Agriculture, and had, to some extent, an adverse 

 influence on the success of the exhibition, but notwithstanding, wo 

 liave the satisfaction to state, that industry, skill and enterprise 

 were enabled to accomplish much that was praiseworthy, and 

 to exhibit results in the highest degree satisfactory. 



The varieties of soil under cultivation ; its different grades and 

 exposures ; and the different degrees of dryness or moisture which 

 pervade it, operate favorably in the average of dry and wet sea- 

 sons, and secure against the evils of a total failure of crops from 

 an extreme prevalence of either cause. 



The exhibition was in general superior to that of last year, and 

 in some respects superior to all that have preceded it. The 

 Avcather havhig been propitious in a remarkable degree, afforded 

 every opportunity for the transportation and display of Articles 

 and Animals, and contributed also to the number and satisfaction 

 of the spectators. 



The entire Hall, which belongs to the Society, with the excep- 

 tion of the space allowed to the offices, was thrown open to the 

 accommodation of articles and spectators, affording much more 

 space than last year. 



There were not quite so many entries for Ploughing as usual, but 

 enough, and the work was well enough performed to make a fine 

 and animating picture, and to gratify the numerous spectators. 



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