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At the commencement of the season, the prospects of farming 

 were very promising; but the promise was not realized. The 

 crop of hay was considerably less than usual. In most places po- 

 tatoes yielded a fair crop, of good quality and tolerable amount. 

 The rot was less extensive than for several years past. We look 

 with satisfaction upon the efforts of farmers to multiply and prove 

 new varieties. Experience shows that the tendency of all sorts 

 of potatoes is to degenerate in quality by long cultivation. Hence 

 the necessity of frequent change of seed and change of locahty. 

 The early frosts damaged the corn to a large extent, and proved a 

 serious loss in this most important crop. 



In our visits to the farmers, we everywhere meet a cordial wel- 

 come, and receive abundant information of the details of their 

 operations. Every where we found gratifying evidences of the 

 benefits conferred upon the agriculture of the county by this So- 

 ciety. We are convinced that a powerful impulse has been given 

 to the labors of the farmer by the information it imparts, by the 

 spirit it diffuses, and by the annual Fair, which brings together 

 the yeomanry of the county to compare notes, and to exhibit the 

 results of the year's work. Although the productions of the farm 

 have not this season reached their usual amount per acre, yet in 

 consequence of the cultivation of a larger number of acres, the 

 total value of agricultural produce is probably as large as ever. 

 It would gratify us to go into details upon several topics included 

 in this Report ; but we should find it difficult to make such dis- 

 criminations as would be satisfactory to our numerous friends, un- 

 less we protracted this notice to an unreasonable length. We 

 have seen much to encourage the efforts of those who would bring 

 farming into the best repute, as an exact science and a profitable 

 employment. 



In the course of their observations, the attention of the Com- 

 mittee was directed to a fine bed of carrots, on the grounds of 



in gravel and manure. These mowing fields are now in admirable order. 

 He has also built a large covered drain across his farm, besides almost fabu- 

 lous quantities of stone wall. This labor has been well directed, and is 

 every way creditable to Mr. P.'s ability and judgment. He is still in a vig- 

 orous old age, and in walking over his farm, and showing with honest pride 

 his extensive improvements, can without difficulty tire out much younger 

 wen. 



