24 



effect unless nitrate of soda was used with it. The results of the exper- 

 iment indicate that the dissolved bone-black was of very little if any 

 benefit to the corn crop. 



For the Conamittee, 



Wm. p. Brooks, Chairman. 



Hon. J. W. Stockwell, Secretary State Board of Agricul- 

 ture : — As inspector to the Hampshire Agricultural Society I have to 

 report as follows. From the location of the society in its nearness to 

 the Agricultural College I anticipated a remarkable show of all farm 

 products. It was not, however, large, but in most cases excellent in 

 quality. There were 78 entries of cattle, 161 entries of sheep and 145 

 entries of poultry. The largest exhibit in stock was from the College 

 and was remarkably good, but not intended for prizes. The exhibit of 

 poultry was in the upper hall of the main building. In the lower hall 

 were fruits and vegetables, flowers, fancy articles and an exhibit from 

 the public schools. The fruits and vegetables I was glad to notice were 

 almost all correctly named, which is really the valuable feature of such 

 an exhibit, and I would venture to suggest to the society as a rule, that 

 prizes should not be awarded to exhibits of fruits and vegetables except 

 they are shown under name, somewhat after the plan of the Massa- 

 chusetts Horticultural Society. Such a plan furnishes an opportunity 

 for comparison and selection. 



The property of the society is in fair order and repairs are made 

 from year to year as the society's means will allow. The -general im- 

 pression I gained was the serious difficulty the society has in maintain- 

 ing its annual shows, except by introducing some attraction beyond that 

 of agriculture. I was glad to notice an absence of so-called " fakir " 

 shows. In looking through the premium list I fail to find any reference 

 to the state prize for ship timber, probably unintentional. I would 

 remind them of a change in the law enlarging its scope and making it 

 such as to be of practical use. 



Respectfully submitted, 

 (Signed) Wm. H. Spooner, Inspector, 



