SANDUSKY COUNTY. Our Twelfth Annual Fair was held on the Society's grounds, at Fremont, on the 7th, 8th and 9th days of October. The weather being very unfavorable, the attendance was not so large as usual. Number of members, 251. There were about three hundred entries made in the different departments. The show of horses was good, and a creditable improvement manifested. Owing to the cold, wet weather, there were but few cattle exhibited, but they were of the best, Short Horn and Devon, with good grades, which marked an improvement in that department. The show of sheep and hogs was not large, but of desirable blood. The poultry interest was represented by the exhibition of a few good specimens. The farm and garden products exhibited in Agricultural Hall were very creditable to the exhibition. Our new Mechanic Hall presented many fine specimens of mechanism, farm and household implements, etc. Floral Hall was handsomely fitted up, and was the receptacle of fine specimens of fruit, household fabrics, paintings, drawings, fancy work, etc., etc., but owing to the early frosts the display of flowers was quite small. Corn, buckwheat, potatoes and other late crops were injured considerably by the frost. SENECA COUNTY. The Seneca County Agricultural Society held their twelfth annual Fair at Tiffin on the 30th of September and the 1st and 2d of October, 1863. The weather on the 1st and 2d days was very unpleasant, which caused the Fair to be less successful, financially, than heretofore. There was, however, a fair attendance, and a medium number of entries. Although there was not so much interest manifested in the last annnal Fair of our society, we are satisfied that the lack of interest in this department was caused by the same being directed to the prosecution of the war, and in endeavoring to supply the wants and alleviate the sufferings of the brave men in the Union army. The principal agricultural productions in our county are wheat, oats, corn, hay, clover-seed, wool, horses, cattle, swine and poultry. The yield was an average crop in wheat, but in consequence of the drouth the yield of corn, oats and hay was light. There was very little complaint of injury to crops by insects. SHELBY COUNTY. The fourth annual Fair was held at the grounds of the Shelby County Institute on the 23d, 24th, and 25th days of September, 1863. The managers have so improved the grounds and track that it will compare favorably with any grounds in the State. The entries this year were 635, showing an increase over former years. The premiums awarded were 286. The exhibition of field crops was very good for the season. The show of horses was very fine, showing a gradual improvement in that line. The show of cattle was not as good as the interests of the county would demand. The show of hogs was large in quantity and good in quality. The exhibition of Merino sheep was hard to beat; we now claim that Shelby county can show as good sheep as any county in the State, and I will here state that eight hundred dollars was offered and refused for a spring lamb on exhibition at our Fair, and we have more of the same quality. The mechanical department showed an improvement over former years. The fruit on exhibition was very fine; the specimens showed by J. C. Coe & Co., of pears, peaches, and grapes, would be hard to beat at any Fair, and was the best advertisement for their trees and vines possible. The crops in Shelby county were not near an average. The wheat, though of excellent quality, will fall short one-third. Corn, owing to the drouth and early frost, will not average over half crop. Oats was also very light, and was attacked with a red kind of lice, which gave many of the fields a red appearance. Potatoes, not over half crop, and generally small, and in portions of the county the vines were destroyed with the bug. The prospects for a good crop of wheat next season is good, as it was generally got in in good order and has grown well. STARK COUNTY. The thirteenth annual Fair of the Stark County Agricultural Society was held on the 7th, 8th, 9th, and 10th days of October, 1863. The officers had some hesitation about holding a Fair this year on account of the excitement in the country, but we have abundance of proof of the unabating interest felt by our people in agricultural exhibitions, notwithstanding the first day opened with a drenching rain, and continued almost without intermission until the close of the Fair. The number of entries was a little less than usual, but the attendance was very good, and we had every promise of an unusually large and interesting exhibition, until the rain set in and cooled the ardor of many on their way to the grounds. On the second day notice was given of a continuance another day, but the fourth proved little better than the previous three, and we closed up in a pouring rain. Our principal crops are wheat, corn and oats, although we raise a fair proportion of rye, barley, buckwheat, meadow grass, flax, sorghum, etc. Our yield of wheat the past season would reach an aggregate of 400,000 bushels, from less than 24,000 acres. There was no insect troubled our fields of wheat the past season-the weevil, having for the past few years played sad havoc with this grain, have now nearly disappeared. Our oats crop yielded better than in 1862, in which year we had an aggregate of 276,688 bushels, from 8,902 acres, or a trifle over 30 bushels to the acre. Corn was very severely injured in the northern portion of our county by drouth, and late corn was damaged by early frosts, yet on the whole we shall not fall far short of last year's crop, which was 369,131 bushels from 10,074 acres. Buckwheat was nearly a total loss, by frost; not being extensively raised, its loss is scarcely felt-our aggregate, in bushels, for 1862, being only 1,081. Of grass lands we have about 30,000 acres, yielding 40,000 tons of hay; was damaged severely by drouth. We manufactured from 100 to 120,000 pounds of maple sugar and probably 10,000 gallons of sorghum molasses. Potatoes are a good crop, yielding about 100,000 bushels in the county annually. Of butter we manufacture 700,000 pounds; cheese, 132,000 pounds, its manufacture being confined to three or four townships. Never in the history of this county have agriculturists endeavored more to better their condition financially and intellectually, so that by these important aids they can more successfully prosecute their vocation. Although war, with its attendant evils, has drawn largely upon all classes of society, yet none feel it less than our farmers. Machinery, to a great extent, has supplied the scarcity of labor, and, under the stimulus of ready sales at high prices, our farmers have put forth renewed efforts, thus benefitting themselves financially, and aiding materially in furnishing winding sheets for rebels, and for rebellion a grave deep, even beyond resurrection. TUSCARAWAS COUNTY. The Fourteenth Annual Fair of this Society was held on their grounds, near Canal Dover, on the 6th, 7th, 8th and 9th days of October, being one day longer than advertised, on account of rain during the first day. The fair, in some departments was very creditable, and the attendance was very good. The sheep department showed a decided improvement, and would compare favorably with the State Fair in quality-Spanish being the variety at the head of the list. There was 487 entries, and $437 in premiums drawn. Total receipts, $692.93, which was duly distributed on premiums and indebtedness. TRUMBULL COUNTY. The Trumbull County Agricultural Society held its fair on September 29th and 30th, and October, 1st, 1863. Our specimens for crops were not competed for. Our show of stock and vegetables were good. Our Society is in a prosperous condition. UNION COUNTY. The Union County Agricultural Society respectfully submit their annual report for the year 1863. There were no competitors for premiums on crops at the last Fair. The Society has not been so prosperous the past year as it was some years since; but is determined to struggle on, with the confident hope that with returning peace it will again prosper as formerly. The Society has done much to improve the agriculture of the county; and there is before it a wide field for future usefulness. When farmers come to appreciate the usefulness of such Societies all thought of their going down may be given up. Every observant person has marked the great change that has taken place in the country in a few years as to the position of farmers in society. Formerly they were scarcely recognized by polite society as fit for their associations. Now they stand in the very front ranks of society. Agricultural Societies have done much to produce this change; and if farmers would maintain their present position in society, they must sustain these organizations. The vanity which was formerly so common of living without work, or making a pretence of doing it, has given place to a noble emulation to be known as the most skillful worker in some branch of useful or elegant labor. That labor is not disgraceful may now be considered a settled public sentiment. If this desirable state of things is to be made permanent, those who labor should regard it as a matter of course that they are to devote a few days every year to sustaining those means which give dignity to industry. If they do this, agricultural fairs will soon be regarded as indispensable; and to this view of them should the public mind be educated. The number of members of the Society is about two hundred. The principal crops have been so frequently stated in these reports, and vary so little from year to year, that the shortest possible statement will now be made. The principal crops are hay, corn, wheat, oats, and potatoes; and they stand in importance as here named. The past season has been one of extreme drouth, which greatly damaged the hay, corn, oats and potatoes, and other summer crops. Wheat was comparatively light owing to its having been frozen out. A frost in July destroyed some fields of corn when about as high as a horse's belly. Another frost late in August greatly damaged all the corn of the county. There has been no special damage to anything by insects. Our county is fast improving and increasing in population. The Atlantic and Great Western railway enters the county near the northeast corner and passes southwesterly through the county for more than twenty miles-most of the way through the woods. This will open up a very fertile tract of land, and add greatly to the facilities for shipping produce. WARREN COUNTY. The Twelfth Annual Fair of the Warren County Agricultural Society was held on the 24th, 25th and 26th of September. The Board has no statements of competitors for premiums on crops and other improvements in agriculture, as there were no entries made for the same the past year. The Board has nothing of interest to report in regard to the proceedings of the Society. The Society numbers about 800 members, being quite a decrease from former years, owing partly to the excitement of the day, and chiefly, as growing out of this excitement, the failure to hold a Fair the two previous years. The prospects of the Society are, nevertheless, favorable to progress and usefulness, and the Board flatter themselves that the next annual report will exhibit a degree of prosperity equal to any former year. Corn, wheat, barley, oats, hay and potatoes, are the principal crops of the county. Approximating to these are sorgho and tobacco, and these are engaging the attention of farmers with an interest increasing every year. The following is a fair estimate of the amount of some of the crops raised the past year, together with the average yield per acre, to wit: Corn, 16,500,000 bushels, average yield 40 bushels; wheat, 550,000 bushels, average yield 14 bushels; barley, 68,000 bushels, average yield 29 bushels; hay, 14,500 tons, average yield 14 tons; Of sorgho and tobacco the Board are unapotatoes 55,000 bushels, average yield 70 bushels. ble at present to give the product. The previous season was characterized by drouth in the early part, causing late planting, and, in many cases, a replanting. The latter part of the season was favorable until the remarkable frosts of August and September made their appearance, which resulted in damage to the corn, tobacco and sorgho crops. WAYNE COUNTY. The Fourteenth Annual Fair of the Wayne County Agricultural Society was held at the fair grounds, near Wooster, on the 7th, 8th and 9th days of October, 1863. But owing to the incessant rains for a number of days before and on the first day of the fair, our exhibition bid fair to be an entire failure, it raining so hard on the first day that neither officers or exhibiters went to the fair grounds-but fortune favored us on the second day, the clouds comparatively dispersed, and the second and third days proved more favorable. Owing to this circumstance the entries were not up to the expectations of the managers by about one-half. The membership was also much diminished, the sale of family tickets did not exceed fifty per cent. of the previous year. The transient visitors were diminished in like proportion, consequently our reeeipts were very meager. The managers were fearful that the efforts of 1863 would leave the Society considerably in debt, but we now hope, with economical management of the fiscal concerns of the Society, with what little surplus there was in the treasury, to be able to discharge all legitimate claims against the society. The present board of managers do not by any means feel discouraged as to the future success of the Society, on account of our comparative failure this year, as it was wholly on account of the inclement weather, as the members and citizens, prior to the rains, manifested more than their usual interest in the welfare of the Society. The articles on exhibition were up to the standard of other years in quality; in many articles there seems to be a decided annual improvement, more especially in horses, mules and sheep, sharp competition having grown up between the producers of those classes of stock. The mechanical interest is fast gaining ground, and is being developed more and more every year. The principal crops raised in this county are as follows: Wheat, corn, rye, oats, potatoes and grass. Wheat-the leading article—a medium crop; a good quality of grain; injured by drouth in fall of 1862, and frosts and wet in the winter of 1863; average yield would not exceed fifteen bushels per acre. Corn-a light crop, being injured by drouth in early part of the season, with early frosts in the fall; the yield is light and quality rather inferior; average yield about thirty-five bushels per acre. Hay crop light; injured by early drouth, early in the spring; yield will not exceed 14 to 11⁄2 tons per acre was put up in fine condition. Oats was injured by spring drouth and insect; yield 28 to 30 bushels per acre. Sugar cane was considerably above an ordinary crop, but was materially injured by early frosts; the quantity of syrup was somewhat above other years, but the quality was not so fine, The production of this article is materially on the increase. Potatoes a fair crop; quality good; average yield would, perhaps, reach 125 bushels per acre. Other articles of vegetables somewhat below the usual average, owing to the dry weather that prevailed throughout the entire season. The exhibition of apples was much in excess of other years, the varieties being much increased and the quality improved. Our county bids fair to become one of the leading fruit growing Counties, included in the backbone range. The peach crop was short, but there was some very fine specimens exhibited. Pears-there has not been that attention paid to the cultivation of this fruit that its value demanded. The last few years, however, are directing more attention to the culture of that delicious fruit. Grapes are now attracting considerable attention. Almost every individual in town and country are supplying themselves with grapes, of the finest and best varieties; many of which are producing the finest specimens of most delicious fruits. Strawberries, the production of which only a few years since, was entirely unknown in this county, has now become the common inquiry, "How are your strawberries doing?" the reply is, generaliy, "Doing well;" while almost every family can boast of the delicacy and luxury of strawberies and cream; besides, considerable quantities are produced for sale. Other fine fruits are gaining rapid favor in their production. There was no competition for premiums on field crops this fall. The membership this year only reached 216. The Society feel gratified with their former and present efforts; being out of debt, while owning their small, yet beautiful fair grounds, of eight acres, within the corporate limits of Wooster, worth, perhaps, about $4,000. WILLIAMS COUNTY. The Eighth Annual Fair of the Williams County Agricultural Society, was held at Bryan, on September 30th and the 1st and 2d days of October, 1863. There was not much competition the past year on field crops at our fair, but there is evidently an increasing interest manifested in our county in the proper management of farms, and in the cultivation of field crops. Notwithstanding we are living in a time of war, and that is the |