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venture to say, that in no county in this State does over one-half of the farmers take enough interest in agriculture to attend a county fair, and not over one-fifth of those who do attend ever bring any thing to exhibit. Why is it that the farmers will neglect that which is to their benefit and interest, and should be encouraged by every farmer, be he great or small? Who but the farmer reaps the benefits derived through these societies? Many of our farmers object to the management of these societies, but when they are offered the management, they decline, their excuse generally being too much work and no pay; and still they stand aloof and cry ring, humbug, jobbery, and the like. Some say we have too much racing, whilst others say, “give us more racing and you will have better fairs, and the attendance will be larger." Another class want this, whilst another want that; and some don't know what they do want, except they want to growl-and growl they will, do what you can and will for them. What shall be done to make such men act the part of men?

Our board, composed of live men, devoted much of their time and talent to the interests of the society. The grounds were placed in splendid condition, large premiums offered, and everything done to warrant a good fair. The board anticipated a good fair, and we had it, in spite of the predictions of the professional growlers and fault-finders. The various classes of live stock were well represented; especially so was the swine department, where the different choice breeds-Berkshire, Chester, Poland, and othersare beginning to show their superior qualities.

The grade class of cattle is looking up; some of our enterprising farmers are making selections from some of the finer breeds, and crossing them with our already greatly improved native stock, making very fine cattle. The show of horses was fully equal to that of last season, both in numbers and quality. The display of sheep was a very fine

one.

There is a disposition among breeders to look after the finer grades, more than has been in former years. The display of poultry was good, most of the improved varieties were on exhibition, and attracted general attention.

A very attractive spot on the grounds was the agricultural implement space, which was well filled with lately improved farm machinery. This is not so much of a manufacturing county as many of the adjoining counties, consequently, most of the articles on exhibition in this department were from abroad.

The display of fruit, grain, and vegetables, owing somewhat to the favorable season, was very fine and in great abundance. The halls for the display of needle-work, fine arts, jellies, sealed and canned fruits, etc., were well filled. The ladies continue to take an active part in our displays, and contribute abundantly articles of superior merit. The science of agriculture is developing itself rapidly, and as it becomes more fully understood and acted upon, the results are becoming more manifest every year.

The principal crops raised in our county are wheat, oats, corn, and hay; and the average production per acre of the above crops for the past season is (as near as I can ascertain): Wheat, about 20 bushels; oats, 35; corn, 30, in the ear; hay, one ton. Our corn crop was greatly damaged this season by a heavy wind and rain storm, which passed over this section of the country the latter part of August. Our potato crop falls short of that of last season, owing to the unfavorable season. Our crop of fruits, of all kinds, was very large. Many thousand bushels of apples were allowed to rot on the ground for want of a market.

Stock-raising has become a source of profit to many of our farmers; there are few counties in the State, not purely stock-raising, that does a larger business than ours. On field crops there were but three entries-two on wheat and one on corn. The com

petitor for the crop of corn failed to comply with the rules, and no premium was awarded him.

Our farmers do not take the interest they should in competing for premiums on field crops. If a farmer, by careful preparation of the soil and good culture, succeeds in raising a large crop, he is content in telling his neighbor, or having a local notice in the county papers, and the good that might result to the general public, from a knowledge of culture, etc., is lost, by his failure to compete for a premium, so that the matter would be a subject of record in the proceedings of the society. We believe we are not behind in the general improvements, and attribute much to the holding of fairs, and whilst they are not what they should be, yet they are not without some good effect. There is a very commendable and praiseworthy zeal manifested on the part of our farmers to improve their stock. Coshocton county has some as fine horses, cattle, sheep, and hogs as there is to be seen in the State. Another remarkable feature is the improvements made in farming. Little by little, and year by year we are improving in the preparation of the ground, selection of seeds, and the cultivation of the land after the seeds are put in the ground. These improvements are not rapid, yet they are all the time growing. A great deal of this growing zeal for good farming is to be attributed to our spirited county fairs. Up to this time, our county, without an exception, has been successful in her fairs, and our last two were remarkably successful, owing a great deal to the fact that everything in the shape of gambling is forbidden, and no intoxicating liquor has been allowed to be sold on the grounds. The natural result is, that good order and good feeling prevails during the entire fair.

We think the continuation of our fairs will bring the manufacturer, producer, and consumer into closer proximity to each other, and is well calculated to promote the interests of the industrial classes and increase the prosperity of our county, and eventually secure great good to all.

An effort will be made during the coming session of the Legislature to secure such legislation as will relieve the society from this debt, contracted in the purchase of their grounds, and should we be successful, we have no fears for the future success of the society; the prospects for the progress and usefulness of the society, in our opinion, could not be better. The people from all sections of the county seem to have taken new life and a new interest in all matters pertaining to the society, and should the season of 1879 be favorable, we doubt not but what the fair of that year will far outstrip all of its predecessors.

CRAWFORD COUNTY.

The principal crops of Crawford county are wheat, oats, corn, bay, and potatoes. There are, of course, other crops raised, such as rye, barley, flaxseed, etc., but they are only incidentally raised to fill in between the main ones just mentioned.

As near as can be estimated, judging by the difference between this year and last, we have about 550,000 bushels of wheat, 725,000 bushels of oats, 1,200,000 bushels of corn, 100,000 bushels of potatoes, and about 40,000 tons of hay, including both clover and timothy. Corn this year will average about 80 bushels ears, oats 254, wheat 18, potatoes 125 bushels, and hay about 1 tons, to the acre.

The Hessian fly injured the wheat probably two per cent. of the whole crop. The cabbage worm, so called by the good people who preside over that rotund vegetable, is becoming a formidable little fellow, and will soon rout out of the county both cabbage and kraut. Potato bugs of both kinds were very modest in their depredations this sea

son, and lastly, the orchard worm-he may have a longer and a harder came to spell and remember, but by this name he will be identified by the owners of orchards which he bas visited this year-did us but very little harm. Upon the whole, we may thank our stars that the insect gentry were so very easy upon us.

Our season this last year was noted for its cool, wet fall. The rain in September was so heavy and continuous that corn did not, in flat land, ripen and become plump as it does in dry, hot fall seasons. Although corn is cheap, the hogs that are sold and on their way East do not have that plump, heavy appearance that they do in years when the ground is dry and the fall weather hot. The potatoes, too, have received their share of injury from the wet, quite a large number of them being tainted with rot. But these same rains seemed to increase the apple crop, and if apples had brought any price, would have made up largely for the injury done to corn and potatoes.

Chicken-cholera hovers around yet, here and there, among us, but is rather on the decrease. It is doctored about as successfully as ever, as most of the sick die. Hog-cholera is quite active yet in this county, the northern part, at this time, having the greatest amount of it. Since pork has become so low in price, it requires a large amount of arithmetic to cipher out whether the hog-cholera is an evil or not.

Our agricultural society has a hard time to maintain its own. We do not own a fair ground, but have to rent one every year from a private company. It is true the company deals very liberally with us, but then, to be without a ground of our own, and feel that any year we may be shut out by a slight change of owners, makes us anything but happy in our prospects for the future. The main support of our society comes from but eight of the sixteen townships of the county. The other eight, having their interests in other towns than the county seat, are indifferent about helping the county fair, because it does not help build up their favorite town.

Our county commissioners refuse to exercise the power which the law has given them to aid us in purchasing a fair ground-and they are farmers, too. A very large number of societies throughout the State have been helped to procure grounds by the action of their commissioners, but Crawford is not among that number, and, to change the subject, of course we have no turnpikes.

For three years we have succeeded in keeping liquor and gambling out of our fairs. It may be thought by some that we are too rigid in our morals and too severe in cutting down the premiums on horse-racing, but, in the minds of most of our members, who have all their lives been farmers, and who expect to remain so, we stand strongly approved.

We have a standing premium, for the past three years, offered for field crops, but have never had a single entry. It must not be inferred from this that our farmers are indifferent to good crops and good farming-no class of persons in the country is more desirous of excelling in their art than are our Crawford county farmers—but one is waiting for the other to begin. When they once begin, look out! We have always had a famine of Agricultural Reports here.

CUYAHOGA COUNTY.

The principal crops of Cuyahoga county for the past year were wheat, oats, corn, potatoes, and hay. I have not at hand at the present time data enough to give an approximate estimate of the number of acres of each of the foregoing crops raised during

the season.

The average yield per acre of wheat is about eighteen bushels; oats, fortyfive bushels; corn, fifty bushels. Taken as a whole, the potato crop this season was a failure-the bugs almost annihilated the crop. In some parts of the county located on the rivers and creeks the crop was totally annihilated by the flood in September last.

The crop of hay was large, and was of a superior quality. A great number of acres in this county are devoted exclusively to raising hay for the Cleveland market, which is more remunerative than raising cereals.

The striking characteristics of the past season have been that the weather has been very warm, and during some parts of the season extremely hot, with an abundance of rainfall. It was also distinguished by a luxuriant growth of vegetation and of all the cultivated crops. During the past season the potato bug ruined that crop. Aside from the ravages of the potato bug, other crops were not molested by destructive insects. No injury of any account was done to wheat, oats, corn, or fruit crops.

At the present time the condition of the society is very flattering. The exhibits and receipts of the past fair far exceeded the most sanguine expectations of the officers and managers, and should the future present fair prospects, the success of our county fair at this place is achieved.

The premium crops were wheat, oats, corn, rye, and potatoes. The display of wheat was large and full, embracing every variety known to the farmers in the immediate vicinity that has been grown successfully by them. In the display of oats, corn, rye, and the other grains, the competition was very large and spirited, and some very fine exhibitions were noticed. The exhibition of potatoes was mostly of the early varieties, and the display surpassed the expectations of all.

The display of vegetables was fine, it being the best the society has had since the fair has been held at this place. The display of fruit was very gratifying, and surpassed anything ever seen here in the fruit line. Owing to the late date that the fair was held, the display of peaches was not up to the full standard, most of the standard varieties having been harvested. The show of maple sugar and syrup did credit to the exhibiters. Some very fine samples were shown, which shows a decided improvement in the manner of producing it. Considerable attention is now being paid to this branch of farming industry, as it is a very remunerative branch of the farmer's business.

The dairy products were well represented. Every factory in this vicinity had some of its make on exhibition. In every department the agricultural hall was well filled, and showed the results that might be obtained by giving attention and care to farm products.

The floral, fine art and domestic hall was well filled with a choice display of fine goods. The show of horses, cattle, sheep, swine, and poultry was the finest ever seen here. In fact, every department was filled satisfactorily with choice exhibits, and so far as the articles on exhibition were concerned, it was a decided success.

One feature of the fair deserves especial mention, and that is the exhibition of Indian relics. Col. Whittlesey passed on the merits of the articles. In this department there was a large and fine exhibition of relics, embracing every known relic found in this part of the State.

Taking everything into consideration, the agricultural interests of this county are in a more advanced condition than formerly. Considerable attention is now being paid to the breeding and raising of fine and thoroughbred stock and poultry.

DARKE COUNTY.

The principal crops raised in this county are as follows:

Wheat, estimated, 36,000 acres; amount, 648,000 bushels; av'ge per acre, 18 bushels.

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Rye was greatly damaged by frost; yield was not more than half a crop.
Barley was also damaged by frost-not more than half a crop.
Potatoes, estimated, 1,700 acres; amount, 125,000 bushels; great damage by rot.
Tobacco, ""

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1,250,000 pounds.

Tobacco raising is rapidly on the increase in this county. We have a large quantity of land adapted to the raising of this article of product. The tobacco in quality raised this year was very fine, especially in the southern portion of the county. The crop in some localities was to some extent damaged by hail.

The growing of sorghum is also on the increase; there seems to be more or less interest in its growth in all localities. The number of acres in 1878 was 650, and about 50,000 gallons of sirup.

The rains seemed to be distributed so as to do the most good during the season. There was no general complaint of the damage done to crops by insects.

Our county society is in a generally good, healthy condition, as you may see by my financial report, taking into consideration the fact that when the present managers took charge of affairs, three years ago, the indebtedness of the society was over $5,300, which debt is now reduced to about $2,000, after paying interest, expenses, premiums, etc., in full, besides paying premiums on a large list of articles not included in our published premium list.

The society expects ere long, by good management, to get out of debt, and to be able soon thereafter to add great improvements to their large and commodious grounds, which from its location (lying between and adjacent to two free turnpikes, leading from the richest and most productive portions of the county into Greenville), can be made one of the best fair grounds in the State, with little cost.

DEFIANCE COUNTY.

Chief products, grain; amount sown last year, large; yield, splendid. Frait above average crop. Farmers are paying more attention to raising thoroughbred stock.

Our society is in good shape, and we think it one of the best in the State. The fair in 1878 was splendid, and prospects flattering for future success of the society.

DELAWARE COUNTY.

A striking characteristic of the previous season was an unusual yield of wheat and fruit, especially apples, the yield of wheat being in some instances as high as forty-five bushels per acre. I have no data for furnishing names of destructive insects, etc.

Our agricultural society is burdened with indebtedness. The fair held in 1878 was rather above its predecessors in number of entries and general display. An unusual interest was taken in a new department introduced last year, consisting of pioneer relics, curiosities, etc. The proceeds of the fair, however, were insufficient to pay all the premiums awarded and meet the current expenses of the society The future of

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