The number of exhibitors, as also the number of entries, was largely in excess of former years. The show of farm and garden produce was very full, and of unusually choice quality. In this department, we are free to say, no better exhibition has been made in this section of the State or country. Visitors from neighboring counties were loud in their laudations of the skill of our most excellent farmers. The entries in live stock were large, and the usual varieties of Spanish Merino, long-wool, cotswold and grade sheep were shown with a warrantable pride, and excited the admiration of all. The line of cattle was increased by the introduction of an Alderney bull, the first one brought to this county, it is believed. Some very fine Ayrshires and Devons were shown; also Durhams and natives. In horses, for speed, style and market value, a manifest improvement is being made. For "all work" and "roadsters," our people are determined that none shall excel them; and an evidence of the advantages growing out of the existence of our society, is the increased attention paid to breeding stock. The choicest qualities of swine have been introduced into our county, and our stock growers are vieing with each other in improvements. Nearly every variety of poultry was shown, and, as usual, merited the acclamation, "splendid.”

The entries in the implement department were large and embraced the latest improvements. In carriages and heavy wagons, a magnificent display from our shops was made; and many who have hitherto purchased their carriages in the cities will patronize home industry, satisfied that equally good work can be done here. Very fine specimens of marble and slate were exhibited, taking rank among the first in the country. Clothing, and boots and shoes, from the shops of workmen who need not be ashamed to exhibit the fruit of their skilled toil; and a large assortment of stoves, and fine display of hardware, from our dealers. Sewing machines, knitting machines, and a hundred devices for relieving the housewife of her labor; and in the line of needlework there was such endless display that only one who has had his mind systematized to it should undertake to speak of this depart

ment.

Crops.-Winter wheat but little raised; crop better than usual; yield about twenty bushels to an acre. Spring wheat about fifteen bushels to an acre; not so good as in previous years. Corn, a light crop; cold and backward season; about twenty bushels to the acre. Rye, good crop; about ten bushels to the acre; a large amount is raised. Barley very little sown. Oats never better; yielded over fifty bushels to the acre. Buckwheat, a fair crop, say twenty bushels to the acre. Pota

toes, large yield; somewhat diseased; average about eighty bushels to the acre. Peas, but little attention paid to them. Beans, a small yield. Hay, a better crop than for many years; average about two tons to the acre. Fruit: apples, light crop, but a noticeable improvement on former years; plums good, usual crop; grapes good; pears, fair crop; peaches, very few in county.

Financially, the fair was a success. We take great pleasure in directing your attention to the treasurer's report herewith; and in comparing with the reports of previous years, it will be discovered that the managers are determined that our society shall take rank among the best.

I beg leave to present the transactions of the Washington County Agricultural Society, for the year just closing, together with a brief survey of the interests to be promoted by the successful action of the society.

The twenty-eighth annual fair was held on the society grounds at Salem, September 29th and 30th, and October 1st; the weather in every respect being all that could be desired for the occasion. The attendance of people was larger than at any previous fair, and the interest manifested in the results of the exhibition gave unmistakable evi

dences that the society from year to year is getting more and more into favor with all who take the pains to acquaint themselves with its aims and efforts.

The first day of the fair was devoted mainly to preparation for the two following days; at its close, the secretary's books showed a list of 1,190 entries; on each of the two succeeding days the commodious grounds and buildings were filled to overflowing with gathering crowds.

During the afternoon of the last day an interesting address was delivered by W. H. Tefft, Esq., of the Washington County Chronicle, replete with practical wisdom and sound theory, and listened to with almost breathless interest by assembled thousands; after which, the secretary's report was read, the premiums awarded and paid.

Disbursements on account of premiums and expenses of the fair amounted to $2,497.11, leaving balance for future use of $1,714.68, showing a healthy condition of the treasury. As further evidence let us note the balances of five previous years in

The present prosperous condition of the society is owing largely to the signal ability of the Hon. I. V. Baker, Jr., for two years its presiding officer, and also particularly to the untiring devotion and superior executive qualifications of William M. Holmes, and R. W. Pratt, Esqs., who have respectively for a series of years held the onerous positions of treasurer and recording secretary.

The exhibition, in some of its departments, was somewhat meagre; but, as a whole, realizing the anticipations of the friends of the society. The show of cattle was good in quality, but in numbers not such as to do full credit to a county that contains so many fine herds of Ayrshires and Durhams. Very much better filled was the sheep department, though here were seen many tenantless yards. Swine and poultry were well represented, particularly the latter.

This year horses were the principal attraction of the stock department. A long list of entries, comprising several noted single animals and teams, and almost a countless line of young stock and brood mares of various styles, under the eye and guidance of many of the

celebrated horse trainers of the county, tended to make this part of the exhibition one of vast interest and excitement, which continued during the whole period of three days.

In the department of mechanics and farm implements the display was very much superior to that of former years. A growing necessity for improved tools and machinery for agricultural purposes has stimulated their invention, improvement and manufacture, and the makers of them are learning that a short route to market for these articles leads through the grounds where agricultural fairs are held. A better show of carriages, wagons, harness or stoves could rarely be seen outside of a large city.

Grains, vegetables and fruits filled their appropriate departments satisfactorily. Notwithstanding the season had been quite unfavor able to tillage and fruit husbandry, the exhibition both in extent and quality by far exceeded the average of former years. The display of dairy products was very meagre, indeed. Domestic hall and the ladies' department presented unusual attractions, aside from the brilliant throng of "Old Washington's fairest and best" that crowded its precincts and passage ways. The goods and samples of handiwork and skill there competing for favors were of a superior order of merit, and well deserve the rich encomiums bestowed on them by visitors to the fair.

Our society was organized in 1841, and has not failed of an annual and successful fair except in 1862; in which year its grounds were given up as a rendezvous for the famed Washington county regiment (123d New York Volunteers), then forming; that under the leadership of the dauntless and lamented McDougall followed the fortunes of war on the Potomac and Rappahannock; threw its defiant banner to the breeze at Lookout Mountain, thence joining the vanguard in the "great march to the sea."

Probably no county in the State is more favorably adapted to a varied system of agriculture than is ours; comprising, as it does, nearly every quality of soil and surface; therefore, no one branch of husbandry is exclusively pursued.

Formerly, aside from the lumbering business we were all agricultural people, and farmers from necessity sought a market for their products outside the county. Now very much of these products are needed for consumption at home. The many streams running westward from the Green mountain slopes as they tumble toward the Hudson, and over the dykes and upheavals of the rock strata and the water-shed that supplies Lake Champlain, furnish sites and

water-power to nearly every neighborhood; while on a larger scale Wood creek at Whitehall, the Mettowee at Granville, and Batten Kill at Greenwich contribute largely to stimulate manufacturing enterprise; still more the noble Hudson, as it pours its volume of waters from the "northern woods," into the county at or near Glen's Falls, bearing on its current annually millions of saw-logs for us to manufacture, literally gives us at Sandy Hill, Baker's Falls, Fort Edward, Fort Miller and Schuylerville miles of waterpower unsurpassed and ample to drive the manufactories of a nation. Enterprising capitalists have availed themselves of many choice localities, and thriving villages are growing up on all their streams where are found markets alike for skill, labor and the products of the soil.

Very large bulks however, of three staple crops, potatoes, hay and wool as well as the products of the dairy, yet go abroad for a market.

SYNOPSIS OF CROPS.

Wheat. Both the winter and spring varieties gave us a fair yield and the quality of grain good; this crop is receiving more attention than formerly.

A large breadth was sown to rye; yield and quality inferior. An extraordinary and unexpected demand for straw for manufacturing fortunately encourages the cultivation of this crop.

More corn was planted than usual, but a cold and backward season reduced the yield fully one-fourth below an average.

Potatoes, particularly the later varieties, did remarkably well, producing the usual yield of 1,000,000 bushels; but the rot, and the amount and high price of labor necessary to grow them, and the extreme low returns from them in market, will materially influence farmers to attempt less with this crop in future; and we think the general interests of agriculture will be benefited by the change.

Oats in quality and quantity have not given as good returns for ten years preceding. The amount of crop is nearly double the usual annual average.

Barley and beans not very largely cultivated; the latter coming into store in prime condition, will be more extensively grown in the coming year. About one-half the usual amount of buckwheat was sowh; the yield was satisfactory.

Grass and hay never were better. The latter was secured in the finest order, making at least twenty-five per cent additional to an