Grazier and Poland, or Byefield. Pork is worth $3 to $3.50 per hundred.

Potatoes.-This crop has done well in this county generally. The crop last season not so good as formerly, on account of the drouth. We have many varieties here, such as the meshannock, pink-eye, common red merinos, shaker blues, &c. Amongst which I am inclined to give the preference to the pink-eyes, from the fact that they have more good qualities than any of the other varieties, and are less liable to rot. Price, from seventy-five cents to one dollar per bushel.

Fruit. We have almost all kinds of fruit common to this climate, and our husbandmen deserve much praise for the pains they have taken to plant and protect their orchards, more especially of apples. Rarely indeed do you pass a farm in Wabash county upon which there may not be seen a thrifty young orchard of the most choice selections of cultivated fruit; and while we have almost every variety of apples considerable pains have been taken to cultivate other kinds of fruit, among which may be mentioned the pear, the peach, the various kinds of cherries, plums, grapes, &c.

Soil, Timber, &c.-The face of the country in Wabash county, except along the streams, may be said to be rolling, or gently undulating, with a rich and fertile soil, abounding with the most valuable forest trees common in the west, among which may be named the oak, of almost every variety, poplar, walnut, hickory, ash, elm, maple, wild cherry, beach, and other kinds of less value, in great abundance. Perhaps it may not be amiss to state that many persons here are giving considerable attention to the lumber trade, and large quantities of our fine black walnut timber, which for its beauty and excellent qualities is not surpassed by the growth of any other country on the globe, is annually converted into lumber and transported to our eastern cities for a market.

The Wabash river flows nearly through the center of the county from east to west, while, in the same direction, Eel river flows through the north and the Mississinewa in the south or southwest. The Salamonia, entering the east side side of the county, flows in a northwestern direction to its confluence with the Wabash at Lagro, six miles above the seat of justice for Wabash county. These rivers,

with the numerous smaller streams, supply us with many valuable water privileges, quite a number of which have and are now being improved, while the immense tracts of bottom land bordering them, when once brought under a proper state of cultivation, must make this county one of the foremost agricultural districts in the State.

I know of no land in the county that may not be very readily brought under cultivation, with the exception of some small lakes on the north side of Eel river, which are so inconsiderable indeed that to include the whole covered by them would make an area of fewer acres than is contained in a half section of land.

Being unprepared to report more fully the condition of the Society, at this time, with other matters properly connected therewith, the above is respectfully submitted.

C. CowGILL, Secretary.

WILLIAM T. ROSS, President.

WELLS COUNTY.

[EXTRACT FROM REPORT OF 1855. ]

This Society was organized in February, 1853; it numbered at that time about thirty members. A Fair was held in the fall and considerable interest manifested to perpetuate its usefulness. The Fair, it is true, was not blessed with the variety or quality usually seen at the fairs in older counties. In 1854, owing to the inclement weather and the general sickness prevailing at that time, the Fair was unattended. In 1855 a vigorous effort was made to resuscitate its prostrate condition, and it was attended with a success beyond the most sanguine expectations.

On the second of October the Fair came off. On the first it rained nearly all day; on the second it was pleasant, and the sample of plowing done honor to the "plowmen." The articles and stock on exhibition showed a decided improvement over the articles and stock at the first Fair. In fact, the furniture, plows, carriage work, several samples of agricultural implements, cattle, horses,

mares, geldings, sheep, hogs, fancy needle-work, home-made cloth, and yarn, pomological productions, &c., were all good samples of skill and care. There were at least three hundred and fifty persons in attendance. The Society now numbers about seventy members. An interesting address was delivered before the Society by I. D. G. Nelson, Esq., on the 5th of October.

Up to 1848, Wells county imported grain, flour, and meat, for home consumption; this was owing, however, to the great tide of emigration in settling up the "Indian Reservation" and other parts of the county. Since that date the county has continued to export largely. Wheat, corn, and hogs are the principal articles of export, but cattle and horses are being raised in considerable numbers. The price of pork ranges from $4 to $6 per hundred pounds, wheat $1.25 to $1.50, corn from 40 to 50 cents per bushel.

The soil throughout the county is well adapted to grain and grazing. In some parts the ditching process has done wonders in reclaiming swampy lands and fitting them for cultivation. This is always a rich alluvial soil, and when reclaimed or drained by ditching produces corn and wheat abundantly. The farmers use the steel mould-board plow, and open up the soil from six to ten inches. in general. The advantage of this kind of cultivation is fourfold over the old method of stirring the ground. Deep culture and the clods well broken by a good long-tooth harrow is adding wealth to our enterprising farmers.

All of which is respectfully submitted.

S. G. UPTON, Secretary.

WASHINGTON AND ORANGE COUNTIES.

[EXTRACT FROM REPORT OF 1854.]

This Society is composed of the counties of Washington and Orange, and was organized at Livonia, Washington county, in January, 1853. Its first annual meeting for the election of officers was held at Livonia on the 12th day of March, 1853.

The second annual meeting of the Society was held in Livonia, in March, 1854, when R. Schoonover was chosen President; John Baker, Vice President; Alexander McPheeters, Treasurer; Nathan Kimball, Secretary; Dr. A. W. Gray, of Orleans, W. M. Vance, of Livonia, and S. W. Regney, of Paoli, Marshals; and one director for each civil township in the district, twenty-three in number.

The second annual Fair of the Society was held at Orleans, Orange county, on the 19th, 20th, and 21st days of September, 1854. I herewith submit a printed list of the premiums offered by the Society on that occasion, and the Secretary's report of premiums awarded by the Society. By order of the Directors all premiums were paid in silver plate, agricultural papers, agricultural reports, and books on agriculture.

The attendance at the Fair was such as to assure the friends of agricultural improvement that the interest of the masses on that subject had not diminished since the first annual fair of the Society.

The first day's exhibition consisted of domestic manufactures, household fabrics, needle-work, fruits, flowers, paintings, vegetables, fowls, and dairy products. Of the three first of the above, the entries were numerous, and the products of female taste and industry such as would do credit to any portion of the State.

The excessive drouth which prevailed in this part of our State during last summer and fall, measurably destroyed our garden and fall crops; consequently the exhibition of fruits, flowers, vegetables, &c., was not such as otherwise might be expected in our district.

The second day was appropriated to the exhibition of machinery. stock of all kinds, worked metals, and farm implements.

Of horses, mules, and cattle, the entries in the different classes were numerous and the exhibition fine. The attention of our farmers has for some time been turned in this direction; they emulate each other in their efforts to procure the most approved kinds of stock. Their success in this department of agriculture is marked by an evident improvement in the stock of the district.

Of sheep and swine the entries were not numerous. however, a few fine specimens of both on exhibition.

There was,

Of farm implements there were but few entries. It is to be regretted that our enterprising mechanics have not manifested a greater interest in such exhibitions and exhibited at our Fairs a greater variety of the products of their skill and industry.

R. SCHOONOVER, President.

[EXTRACT FROM REPORT OF 1855. ]

The annual Fair of the Society was held on the 10th, 11th, and 12th days of October, and was well attended.

Lists of the premiums offered and premiums awarded form a part of this report.

Early last spring the Society determined to locate, for the term of ten years, the place of holding its annual fairs. In pursuance of this determination, a lease was taken upon a suitable site adjoining the town of Livonia for ten years, with the privilege of extending it to fifteen years, at twenty dollars per annum. This site has been inclosed with a strong plank fence, at an expense of $520.30

At a meeting of the Society, on the 21st day of June last, the time of the annual meetings of the Society was changed from the second Wednesday of March to the fourth Thursday of December, annually. This change will enable the Society to publish its annual list of premiums offered at a much earlier date than they could have done under the former arrangement.

Our farmers have been favored with plenteous crops this year. The specimens of grains and fruits exhibited at our fair were very fine; and we presume they were not surpassed by those presented at any similar exhibition in the State. The farmers brought out their stock from every part of the district; and the improvement made in this department, in two years, was truly surprising. Our district will now compare favorably, in this particular, with any portion of the State.