the first two days, which was the reason of the exhibition being made to include four days instead of three, as originally intended. The number of entries was 1,400, and the premiums paid, amounted to $573. An address of a practical character, was delivered by the Hon. H. A. Shaw. The Society is incommoded by the limited extent of its grounds, which are within the corporate limits of the town of Charlotte. The land is considered too valuable to be used for such a purpose, and the Society has decided to sell it, and purchase 25 to 30 acres elsewhere.

Officers for 1869.-E. Shepherd, President; T. D. Green, Secretary; E. A. Foote, Treasurer.

GENESEE COUNTY.

The Executive Committee of the Genesee County Agricultural Society, in submitting their Nineteenth Annual Report, state that the Society continues in a prosperous condition, and that the season of 1868 was generably favorable for crops and farming operations, with the exception of the unprecedented hot and dry weather of July, and even that was serviceable in bringing the wheat crop rapidly to maturity, and causing it to be saved in fine condition. The Committee submit the following summary in regard to the products of the year:

FIELD CROPS.

Wheat.-Several reasons operated to induce farmers to sow more land than customary with wheat, viz: The high price ruling for that grain; the cessation of the ravages of the midge; and the depression in wool causing farmers to part with their sheep. The combined operation of these circmstances caused at least fifty per cent. more land to be devoted in the fall of 1867 to winter wheat, than was sown in 1866-being full twentyfive

cent. over the average of ground usually assigned to

this crop. The same proportions would hold good as to spring wheat also. The yield was above the general average of seasons, and amounted, in our estimation, to twenty bushels to the acre on the average throughout the county. The quality was good.

Oats.-About the average quantity of land was sown with oats, and the yield an average crop-say forty bushels to the acre, of fair quality.

Indian Corn.-Of corn, about the usual quantity also was planted, yielding an average crop of about forty bushels to the acre. The land was in good condition for getting in the seed, and the season was favorable throughout for its growth. The quality was generally excellent.

Barley yielded an average crop per acre, but less land was sown with this grain than usual. The produce was about twenty bushels to the acre.

Hay. We should say that one-fourth less meadow surface was mown last season, than has been customary in this county. This may be ascribed partly to clover seed failing to germinate, owing to the dry weather; and partly to the unusual breadth of land assigned to wheat. The yield acre, however, was a full average, or one and a quarter ton; and it was saved in fine order. We may add here the same remark made in our last Annual Report, that an extensive export demand keeping up the price has caused many farmers to believe it more profitable to dispose of their hay, than to winter their stock upon it, and has been one main cause, doubtless, why so many sheep have been butchered.

Of Potatoes, about fifty per cent. more were planted in 1868 than in the previous year. The yield was somewhat under an average-say eighty bushels acre, and the quality good. No rot has visited the potatoe in this county since 1866.

Hops, which in 1867 were almost destroyed by the ravages of the insects, yielded a fair return in 1868, and generally of excellent quality. Unfortunately, however, the growers have found no market for them; the prices at the centres of consumption ruling so low, as to be entirely unremunerative.

FRUIT.

Cultivated fruit of all kinds, excepting Grapes, proved very deficient in quantity. Fine grapes were plenty, and the attention bestowed upon their cultivation seems to exhibit no diminution of interest.

CATTLE.

Our remarks of last year, upon stock, will apply very generally to the present. The continuation of the renewed interest in improved cattle is very gratifying. Since our last report, choice Durham and Devon stock of the best and purest bloods the country affords, have been selected with much care and judgment, and introduced into the county by Gov. Crapo, Messrs. Dewey and Beahan, and Henry Schram. Gov. Crapo has also introduced the first full-blood Herefords which have appeared among our stock.

HORSES.

No less attention is bestowed upon horses. Light horses, however, do not maintain their value, so far as market price is concerned, in comparison with heavy draught horses. The preference of farmers seems to be steadily growing towards the latter, as the most serviceable for general farm work. A new feature of the fair this year, was the offer of premiums for the best walking horses, and it awakened quite an interest, many of our practical men deeming the horse's walk the most important gait to cultivate and develop. Premiums for Jacks and Mules were likewise offered for the first time at this fair, but the entries were not numerous.

SHEEP.

The Sheep Breeders' and Wool Growers' Association of this county express so nearly our views on this important interest, that we quote as follows from their Annual Report for 1868:

Wm. A. Morrison, Esq., of the city of Flint, has favored us with the following statement:

The total amount of wool marketed at this place for the past season, 1868, is 555,000 pounds, the items which go to make up this amount being gathered directly from the buyers. This, however, includes 50,000 pounds which will be used at the mill of Messrs. Stone & Willard.

It has brought the farmers an average of 38 to 40 cents, for best, though much that was not in good condition has been sold at a proportionately lower rate. The general condition of wool has been fair to good, and increasing pains have been taken on the part of many farmers to bring to market their lots in a well washed and well handled condition, that will compare favorably with wool from other parts of the State; and great credit is due for these things. All that is needed is a persistent effort to continue in this line, and to have it general. The standard will then be raised to a point which will certainly tell well for the credit ot Genesee county farmers.

A new feature in the raising of wool is now beginning to develop itself, and wool that a few years since was only a discouragement to raise, is now and will be for a long future in good demand, and is certain to bear a good price. I refer to the full and half-blooded Leicester and other long combing wools, the value of which depends in a great measure on their length, strength and lustre. Mills have been erected and machinery prepared in Eastern States, especially for this class of wool; and it is thought by many of our farmers in some sections of the country to be the most profitable of any. The preference is also given to such breeds of sheep for supplying the great demand for fine mutton which is certain to follow their introduction; and certainly something of this kind, by way of a substitute, must be furnished soon; for the astonishing destruction that is now being carried on among the flocks of Merino sheep will require at the hands of breeders something to compensate for the present waste. Manufacturers have to scour the world for a supply of this long wool, and it might just as well be supplied at home.

It has been suggested by those familiar with the subject, that the time is soon to come when those who hold on to their flocks will be the gainers; and it looks very plausible. "A word to the wise is sufficient."

SWINE.

Of hogs, the quality is excellent, though the supply is not so full as it was a year ago. While many other breeds have their admirers and advocates, the Chester-White blood seems to maintain the preference it had already acquired.

MANUFACTURES.

Manufactures were never before in so prosperous a condition in Genesee county. New mills, new factories, new foundries, and new machine shops are springing up; while older ones are increasing their powers, and extending into fresh branches of business. It is also observable, that in the new manufacturing enterprises, the appliances are first-class in character. No second-rate structures, machinery, or productions seem to satisfy the operators; but the latest improvements and the newest inventions are sought after and employed.

The Annual Exhibition was fixed for the last two days of September and the first day of October, but in consequence of rain on the second day, the exhibition was extended to the 2d day of October, and proved in all respects successful. The attendance was very large, and the number of entries considerably greater than at any previous exhibition of the Society. The total receipts of the exhibition were $2,007 50. The address was delivered by R. F. Johnstone, Secretary of the Michigan State Agricultural Society.

Officers for 1869.-E. W. Rising, President; F. H. Rankin, Secretary; Oren Stone, Treasurer; with an Executive Committee consisting of seven members.

SHEEP-BREEDERS' AND WOOL-GROWERS' ASSOCIATION.

The Executive Committee of this Association submit an Annual Report, from which the following extracts are taken: