Societies. COMPILED FROM RETURNS OF AGRICULTURAL SOCIETIES FOR THE YEAR ENDING DECEMBER, 1864. Amount received from the State. by the Society. miums offered. Offered for Live eS | Awarded for Live Stock. and Root Crops. * Offered for Grain other objects. Franklin, Franklin, (North) 95 82 152 Hancock, 376 00 711 00 660 Androscoggin, Aroostook, (North). 297 26 994 14 490 00 480 00 272 00 205 50 89 0032 25 45 50 50 Lincoln, 278 60 447 29 425 00311 74 113 00 87 00 28 75 15 00 27 00 252 41717 85 572 50 462 00 186 00374 00 53 00 30 50 57 50 90 75 167 75 190 50 152 00 149 50 110 50 22 00 19 50 405 75370 00 242 15 240 00 199 75 64 50 7 75 39 40 302 73379 45 354 55 171 00 170 00 24 25 14 75 192 90 400 00 779 16800 00519 35 445 50 349 00117 0033 00124 35 ANDROSCOGGIN COUNTY AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. REPORT OF THE SECRETARY. The Annual Show and Fair of this Society was held at Lewiston, October 6th, 7th and 8th. The weather was very favorable, and we had one of the largest exhibitions of animals and agricultural products that we have had since the organization of the Society. The attendance was very large, consequently our receipts were increased from last year very much, making our financial condition look more favorable. The leading crops in the county are hay and potatoes. The quantity of hay was fully an average, and the quality never was better. During the usual season of the growth of the potato it was extremely dry, and it did appear that the crop would be a failure. But the rains came at last, the tops revived, and we have secured one of the best crops ever grown, as regards both quantity and quality. The corn crop has been an average one, and of excellent quality. Wheat nearly a failure, though but little sown. Barley was sown quite extensively, but owing to the drouth was very light, not more than half the usual crop. The same may be said of oats. The crop of fruit is below the average. The prices of all products of the farm have greatly increased, and I think the farmers' prospects are encouraging. There were on exhibition seventy pairs of oxen and steers, most of them well matched in shape and color, and well disciplined. More good milch cows were present than usual, and it is evident more attention is being paid to the rearing and selection of good cows than formerly. Thorough-bred Durhams, Jerseys and Ayrshires were shown. Eighty-five horses and colts were on the grounds. Many very fine and some very superior animals were shown, giving evidence that this branch of industry is not neglected. The number of sheep was much larger than at former shows. The exhibition of dairy products was very creditable, there being twenty-one samples of very nice butter and twelve of cheese. The display of manufactured cotton and woolen goods from the different mills in this place contributed very much to the attraction of the Fair, and the agents are entitled to the thanks of the Society for the interest they manifest in our annual festival. Fruit was shown in abundance, and the Committee remark that: "All the contributors to the show of fruit are deserving of praise for the pains taken to produce the best varieties, and to grow perfect specimens of these kinds. They must feel amply rewarded for their efforts in the enjoyment which the use of such fine fruit secures. The Committee may be permitted to say that they do not deem it desirable to cultivate a large variety of apples, but rather a few of the best kinds, so as to secure a succession of well-ripened fruit from early fall to late spring. If any choice variety has no name, let it receive one, that it may be known as well as the Baldwin and Greening, then they can have a reputation, and their marketable value will be increased. It is with feelings akin to pride that we speak of the sweet Gloria Mundi,' the Garden Apple' and the 'Briggs Auburn' as natives of this county. He who wishes for the best fall apples will do well to cultivate these fine varieties, since the fruit is not only excellent, but large and fair, and the trees good bearers. The apple crop is one of our best and most valuable ones, and may be made highly promotive of health, economy and enjoyment. The cultivation of pears has been too much neglected in our county, owing, perhaps, to the long time a standard tree is in coming into bearing, and their supposed lack of hardiness. But the dwarf pear tree comes early into bearing, and is quite hardy when not set in a warm, sheltered situation, and is a good bearer when properly taken care of. These may be used while the standard tree is coming into bearing." In domestic manufactures, drawings and paintings, shell work, and in fancy articles generally, the ladies did their full share. NELSON HAM, Secretary. CUMBERLAND COUNTY, AND PORTLAND HORTICULTURAL SOCIETIES. Mr. S. B. Beckett, the Secretary of these two Societies, writes me that for various reasons which, according to the Executive Committee, were deemed sufficient, the Cumberland County Society held no exhibition during the year 1864. Consequently the ByLaws of the Society were so changed, that hereafter all officers hold over until new ones are elected. Of the operations of the Portland Horticultural Society, he says: "The Society embraces one hundred and twenty members. We have had three exhibitions during the year, viz. : May 4th. Of greenhouse plants and flowers. June 30th. Of strawberries. Oct. 5th. Of vegetables, fruits, plants and flowers. The result of the Society's operations and endeavors has been, 1. A large increase in the cultivation of pears, apples, plums and grapes, and the introduction to the section of its influence of many and choice varieties of these fruits. 2. Great improvement in the laying out and ornamenting of gardens and grounds. 3. Greater skill and success in the cultivation of garden vegetables generally. All these results are patent to the most casual observer." |