The principal crops raised are

1st. Corn.-Amount raised, 3,500,000 bushels; average per acre, 45 bushels. 2d. Wheat.-Amount raised, 550,000 bushels; average per acre, 16 bushels. 3d. Barley.-Amount raised, 540,000 bushels; average per acre, 45 bushels.

Oats and potatoes are raised in certain localities, and in certain kinds of soil produce large yields, but are not generally raised as a staple crop, but only for domestic use and our home market.

The most striking characteristic of the past season was the backward, cold, and unfavorable weather in early spring, killing the fruit and injuring the wheat and barley to such extent that in some parts of the county many fields of 1 arley were plowed up and planted in corn; and the continued coldness of the season after corn planting caused the crop to be backward in growth, and promised a failure of that crop. The summer set in very favorably for the wheat and barley, and continued favorable for corn late in the season, giving full time to mature; and although in some seasons more particularly favorable to some particular kinds of crops there may have been larger yields, yet we have never, perhaps, had in Butler county a more favorable season for all kinds of crops, or ever had so large an average yield of cereals and all kinds of roots, vegetables, etc. The same old pest, the potato bug, was still abroad in the land; but the growth of the potato was, for the past season, so rapid and vigorous that its ravages were not so inJurious to that crop, or, at least, was not so perceptible as in former years. The midge, in some parts of the county, done some injury to the wheat, but only to a limited extent. From the accompanying report of the entries and premiums offered and awarded on articles of manufactures, machinery, stock, etc., and of the receipts and expenditures, it will be seen that the society, in all its various departments, is in the most encouraging and flourishing condition; and if its past progress can be any test of its future prosperity and success, it must still continue to receive, in a still increasing progression, the encouragement and support of the agricultural, mechanical, and manufacturing interests of this and the adjoining counties of Ohio, Indiana, and Kentucky.

CARROLL COUNTY.

The board of managers of the Carroll County Agricultural Society beg leave to make this, their twenty-eighth annual report.

We have reason to congratulate ourselves on the prospect of the increased prosperity and usefulness of the society. Our annual fair was held on the 9th, 10th, and 11th days of October, 1878. The weather was good, and the attendance very large for our county. The fair was a decided success in every respect.

The show of stock was good. There were more entries of stock this year, and we think we can safely say, very much better stock than has ever been shown at our county fairs. The show of vegetables, fruits, and domestic manufacture was not quite so large as former years, but was of a better quality. The receipts this year from all sources was over $2,500-larger than has been for many years. The number of members of the society is about five hundred. We flatter ourselves with the prospect that in another year we will be enabled to pay off our indebtedness, have our ground and buildings clear of debt, and be thereby the better enabled to give larger premiums, and more extensive in variety than formerly.

The principal crops raised in this county are wheat, corn, oats, and barley. Wheat was a very good crop. Whilst the yield per acre was not quite so large as was antici

pated before harvest, it was very much above the average. The oats crop was very good. The corn crop was fair, but was injured considerably by the dry weather of July and August.

CHAMPAIGN COUNTY.

The general condition of the county society remains as during the past eight or ten years—without material change-but certainly with great opportunities for good. The last annual exhibit of agricultural products and machinery corresponded most favorably with any preceding fair. The exhibit of cattle was good, but the number on exhibition was small; other stock well represented in quality and number. The claptrap usually resorted to to draw a crowd made little part of the fair. The attendance was smaller than usual, which is accounted for on the facts that at the time malarious diseases were prevailing very greatly over the county, and in consequence of the unusually hot weather for the season of the year, many farmers were engaged in sowing their winter wheat.

The crops principally raised in this county are corn, wheat, oats, barley, rye, timothy, and clover hay as leading crops, and buckwheat, clover seed, broom corn, potatoes, etc., to a less extent, as part of a mixed husbandry. Horses, cattle, hogs, and sheep also receive considerable attention; but it is doubtful whether the county has as many wellbred cattle as it contained twenty to twenty-five years ago. Few fairs can turn out as fine a display of horses. In swine raising, the Berkshire and Poland-China take precedence, and about equally divide the number engaged in this crop.

The crops generally have been good-the corn unusually so. The growing season was propitious to the labors of the husbandman, and prices rule low. We have no means of knowing the aggregate or average yield per acre, except through the reports of the auditor's office. The present prices of farm produce demonstrate that the farmer must add to the amount to be raised from a given space, or fail, as compared with other industries. There is, consequently, a disposition generally prevalent to attain a higher farmingthat is, better results with less expense-and the results of the year will show an increased average generally.

The insects particularly injurious were the Colorado potato beetle, the cabbage worm, the currant worm, and the canker worm. No general efforts have been made to destroy these pests. The Hessian fly has done considerable damage, but late sowing and pasturage with sheep are commonly considered and practiced as giving protection.

1878 has also been the fruit year, and enormous quantities of apples, pears, plums, and cherries were grown. Peaches tolerably abundant. For the first time in years the plum and cherry were uninjured, or but partially hurt by the curculio.

CLARKE COUNTY.

The twenty-sixth annual fair of the Clarke County Agricultural Society was held at their fair grounds at Springfield, August 20, 21, 22, and 23, 1878. The weather fine, a large attendance of the real agriculturists of the county, thereby making the fair a success. After paying the premiums in full there was left in the treasury $253.30. The total number of entries was 1,712; amount offered for premiums, $3,109; amount awarded, $2,205. This is conclusive evidence that old Clarke is still wide awake in the interest of agriculture. Forty-eight entries in the Shorthorn class plainly show that the breeders in Clarke of that exeellent breed of cattle have not been carried away with

the corners gotten up by a few fancy breeders, who breed from certain tribes that have been bred in a certain line, but have kept steadily breeding to the Shorthorns, that have proven themselves to be excellent in beef and milking qualities, also healthy and prolific. The interest is largely on the increase, as the number of herds shown at the last fair proves. There was a good show of Devons, hardly excelled at the State Fair, and a pretty fair sample of Alderneys, Ayrshires, and Holsteins on exhibition. The show of horses was good. One need not go out of Clarke to see a good sample of the thoroughbred, roadster, draft, or general purpose horse, as they are here nearly in perfection, and always on hand at our fairs. The speed department was well contested, keeping the audience late each day. A fair show of fine-wool, Southdown, and long-wool sheep. A very fine show of swine, especially Poland China and Berkshire. One of the largest and best exhibitions of poultry that has been exhibited in the State this year. Mechanic arts well represented. Springfield mechanics are always on hand at the fairs to show their skill and handiwork. They cannot be excelled in the State. They are alive to the interests and success of Clarke County Agricultural Society, asking for no premiums, only asking for space to show their manufactures of various kinds against the world. Farm product department, 189 entries; a very good show. Fine arts a fair show. Textile fabrics, 127 entries; a grand display. The ladies of Clarke are always on hand at our annual fairs with their handy and fancy work, and make one of the most attractive features at the fair. They say, keep up the fair; we will do our part (as they surely do); the entries on the books so testify. Horticulture and florticalture were well represented by professional and amateur growers of Clarke county, who had several varieties of flowers on exhibition. In short, our fair was a grand success. As to the crops of Clarke county, cannot give you very reliable and satisfactory auswers to your circular; will do the best I cau, from last year as a starting point. Wheat, more acres than last year; an excellent crop; yield the best for many years; twenty one bushels per acre. Rye, about the same as last year. Buckwheat, not more than three-fourths as many acres or yield per acre. Oats, more acres sown, but not more than three-fourths as much per acre. Barley, one-fourth better; about same quantity of acres. Corn, more acres, but one-fourth less per acre. Meadow hay, onefourth more. Clover hay, one-fourth more. Flax, one fourth less. Potatoes, one-half less. Butter, ten per cent. more. Cheese, same as last year. Sorghum molasses, onefourth less; not profitable. Orchards good, three times as much as last year. Wool, same as last year.

The season was an excellent one for grasses and most kinds of vegetables; not good for late potatoes, and cabbages nearly a failure-destroyed by a worm. Some hog cholera in the southern part of the county, but nothing compared to last year. Worth $2.50 per hundred. Produce of all kinds rating very low.

CLERMONT COUNTY.

This county held its thirtieth annual exhibition on the grounds of the society at New Boston, September 3, 4, 5, and 6. The weather was fair, and the show the largest ever made in the county. The principal crops are hay, corn, oats, wheat, potatoes, rye, apples, pears, grapes, and berries. There is also a growing interest in the breeding of live stock. The soil and physical condition of the county are so varied that we grow a greater variety of crops than is common to most counties in the State. The year has been very seasonable, and we think the crops have generally been up to the average. There was but one competitor on field crops. Deetructive insects scarcely made their appear

ance except in the case of Colorado potato bugs and cabbage worms-the latter destroying almost the entire crop. The society is in a prosperous condition, out of debt, except bonds on the society which secure permanent membership to about one hundred

persons.

CLINTON COUNTY.

The principal crops are corn, wheat, oats, and potatoes. There are many other things raised, and with profit. The corn crop for the year 1878 averaged about forty bushels per acre. It was not first rate, there being a drouth just, at the time that prevented it from filling out so well as in some years. It lacks about one-fifth in quality and quantity. The wheat crop for the year averaged about fifteen bushels per acre, and was in quality and quantity better than has been for many years. There was no special trouble to our crops by insects of any kind, except in a few instances the fly in the wheat. This county is troubled with a worm that eats up the cabbage. There is also a worm here that eats all the leaves off the currant bushes. Early potatoes, as a rule, were small, but all in all, there was a fair crop. The farmers of this county are in good spirits, notwithstanding the low price of pork.

On account of the trouble of measuring, weighing, and being qualified to the results of field crops, the farmers will not at our fairs enter into competition thereon.

Our agricultural society is very valuable in being the medium through which good and valuable seed and specimens of agricultural productions are brought to the notice of many of her people; and it is apparent that there is engendered in the hearts of the people a desire to advance themselves by cultivating none but the best of seed and stock. Notwithstanding we are in debt we have had good fairs, and have a prospect for better in the future.

COLUMBIANA COUNTY.

The twenty-ninth annual fair of the Columbiana County Agricultural Society was held at the grounds of the society, in New Lisbon, on the 24th, 25th, and 26th days of September, 1878. The attendance was poor, compared with former years. The second day of the fair was favorable, and a fair crowd present; but the last day was almost a failure, on account of the weather.

The exhibition of cattle was excellent, and certainly was a credit to the farmers of Columbiana county. The stalls were all filled up. There was quite an exhibit of Alderney and Jersey cattle, which was a new addition to our fair. The entire display of cattle was good, showing clearly that our farmers appreciate good stock.

The exhibition of horses, I think, has never been equaled. The grand procession in the ring, on the second day of the fair, was one of the best features of the exhibition. The display of sheep was very fine, and one that was calculated to fill those interested in this department with pleasure, and one that would be hard to excel.

The same remark could be made of swine. The display was much better than last year, which we then thought could hardly be surpassed.

The display of poultry was far in advance of last year. We have several breeders of fancy poultry in our county, and who seem to be making it pay.

Floral hall was crowded to its utmost capacity with flowers and fruits. A better showing of plants was never seen on the grounds.

The exhibition in agricultural implements was not as good as in former years. The grain and vegetable department was well filled up.

One of the finest exhibits made at our fair this year was that of stone china ware, manufactured at East Liverpool, in this county; it was certainly equal to any imported Columbiana county can well feel proud of her different kinds of manufactured

ware.

goods.

Quite a number of improvements have been made on our grounds this year, and we are now contemplating making a half-mile track, so as to give the people a better chance of showing their horses.

Our fair this year would have been a success financially, as well as otherwise, had the weather not been so bad on the last day. But notwithstanding this, we paid all our premiums, and only fell short some one hundred and thirty dollars of paying all expenses and interest on debt. We are now laying our plans for having a grand good time on the thirtieth anniversary of the society.

Our crops for the past season have been abundant. I should say fully 25 per cent. more wheat was raised and harvested this year than last. There was some complaint of fly, but it was not general. The oats crop was very heavy, twenty cents a bushel being a fair price for same last fall.

There has been some complaint about potatoes rotting, which is something new, as the like has not occurred for a long number of years. The potato bug, I think, is gradually dying out, although in some sections I have heard considerable complaint.

The hay crop was very heavy, aud generally well secured. The amount of all feed is abundant. The result is, all kinds of stock are in fine condition.

The apple and peach crop of this county was abundant. Much attention is also given in this county (especially in the eastern part) to the growing of small fruits, such as grapes, strawberries, and raspberries, and has been very remunerative.

The fall has been very favorable for farm work, and farmers are going into winter quarters in very good condition.

COSHOCTON COUNTY.

The twenty-seventh annual fair of the Coshocton County Agricultural Society was held at Coshocton, Ohio, September 24th, 25th, 26th, and 27th, 1878. The weather during the fair was splendid, and the attendance was large, but not so large as that of last season, owing to the weather being unfavorable for seeding and entting corn just previous to our fair, thus putting our farmers back with their work, and depriving us of their presence at the exhibition. Nevertheless we are satisfied, our fair being a success financially as well as in all other respects.

Our grounds have been greatly improved by the society; and in making the improvements, in addition to the purchase of the grounds now occupied by the society, a considerable debt was contracted, which has now (owing to the panic and the failure to sell the town lots laid out in the old grounds) become a great burden and hindrance to the society. If the legislators, in their wisdom, would enact a law for the relief of agricultural societies which would not require a submission to the people by ballot, they would confer an everlasting favor upon us and all other societies. The question is often asked, "Why not submit the question to a vote of the people?" I answer, the people-our farmers do not take enough interest in the subject of agriculture to vote a tax for its encouragement. It is but the few, not the many, that do and have sustained the agricultural societies; and a proposition to levy a tax to pay debts incurred for their good, would meet with a certain and overwhelming defeat.

What shall be done to draw the farmers, as a body, to the support of county fairs. I