REPORTS

FROM

COUNTY SOCIETIES,

FOR THE YEARS 1854 AND 1855.

ADAMS COUNTY.

[EXTRACT FROM REPORT OF 1854.]

This Society was organized in February, A. D. 1854, at which time the Society elected its officers as follows, to wit:

Hon. S. S. Mickle, President; George A. Dent, Vice President; John McConnel, Treasurer; William G. Spencer, Librarian, and David Studabaker, Secretary.

The first annual Fair of said Society was held on the 19th and 20th days of October, A. D. 1854. There was a respectable number of persons present, and much interest was elicited in the cause of agriculture during the exhibition. The principal articles for exhibition were stock. Some fine Durham cattle were exhibited. The exhibition of farm products was small in consequence of the drouth during the past season. The Society is yet in its infancy, but I trust it has laid the foundation for future usefulness. The Treasurer's report shows that there was received, up to November 1, 1854,

A. R.-3

Adams county must become the producer of a large amount of stock; the surface of the land is level for the most part, and peculiarly adapted to the growing of grasses; the St. Mary's river running through the north part of the county and the Wabash through the south part, affording the finest bottom lands, well adapted to the raising of corn. This report is not so extended as I could wish, but the small materials from which this report is to be made will not warrant its extension.

DAVID STUDABAKER, Secretary.

BARTHOLOMEW COUNTY.

[EXTRACT FROM REPORT OF 1854. ]

Bartholomew suffered as much from the excessive drouth of the past summer, perhaps, as any county in the State. The hay, oats, and wheat crops were excellent. Corn, garden vegetables, &c., &c., turned out poorly; the yield ranged generally from one-third to one-half of the usual crop. The display at the Fair, however, was highly creditable. The ladies deserve especial commendation for their numerous and beautiful contributions to the exhibition. The stock shown, although better than was generally expected, was far less worthy than ordinarily may be found in our county. Much deserving stock was kept back because it was poor-the pastures having almost entirely failed. The address was delivered on Thursday by Matthew R. Hull, Esq., of Fayette, and was well received by the large crowd in attendance.

Abstract from Treasurer's Books.

Amount on hand February 18, 1854........ $140 95

The following statistics, gleaned from the returns of the assessors of Bartholomew county, made June 1, 1854, will be interesting to

BENTON COUNTY.

The Benton County Agricultural Society was organized December 1, 1855, according to the "plan" recommended by the State Board. George Campbell, President; Theophilus Stembel, Treasurer, and Hartley T. Howard, Secretary-with a board of directors. No annual Fair was held. The Society numbers about sixty-five members. The prospects of the Society are flattering. The principal kinds of agricultural productions are corn, potatoes, hay, and oats. The aggregate amount of corn, 300,000 bushels; aggregate amount of oats, 190,000 bushels; aggregate amount of hay, 1,500 tuns; aggregate amount of potatoes, 20,000 bushels. The average yield of corn per acre, 50 bushels; pats, 40 bushels. Principal market, Lafayette.

GEORGE CAMPBELL, President.

HARTLEY T. HOWARD, Secretary.

CARROLL COUNTY.

[EXTRACT FROM REPORT OF 1854. ]

The third annual Fair of this Society was held at Camden, on the 12th and 13th days of October last, 1854. The Fair was very interesting much more so than on any similar occasion-and the best of hopes are entertained that that interest is growing, and that it will continue to do so, until a great and lasting good will be realized from the organization of our Society, though promising so little at first.

The exhibition of horses was quite large, and, as to quality, would compare favorably with most counties of the State. The cattle show was creditable, though there were but few thorough bred on the ground. The collection of hogs and sheep was not to say large, yet of good breeds and well selected.

The specimens of mechanical skill and female industry were well gotten up, and reflect credit on the owners.

The specimens of agricultural and horticultural products, mostly, were not of a superior quality, on account of the severe drouth during the months of August and September.

The principal articles of exportation from this county are wheat, flour, pork, and beef.

The crops in general are far below an average crop. The average yield of wheat, for the last season will scarcely exceed fifteen bushels per acre. Corn will not average more than from thirty to thirty-five bushels per acre. Although the exports of grains from this county will fall far below that of 1853, yet the loss will not be so severely felt, because of the increased price over former years. Wheat has ranged from $1.00 to $1.50 per bushel; corn, from 35 to 50 cents per bushel; clover seed, $6.00; pork, from $3.50 to $4.00 per hundred pounds; hay, from $5.00 to $8.00 per tun; beef, from $4.00 to $6.00 per hundred.

A. H. EVANS, Secretary.

JAMES ODELL, President.

[FROM THE REPORT OF 1855. ]

The annual Fair was first appointed to be held at Delphi, on the 11th and 12th days of October, but on account of an unusual amount of sickness, it was postponed to and held on the 25th and 26th of said month. The weather at the time was cold and disagreeable. The exhibition of stock, manufactured articles, &c., was not so large as it was the last two fairs, but in quality it showed a decided improvement upon any previous year. The good influence of the Society, in the improvement of stock and manufactured articles, particularly those used in carrying on husbandry, is plainly seen, and the members generally are highly pleased with its past. history and future prospects.

A. H. EVANS, Secretary.

E. STANSEL, President.