SHEEP. We had quite a number on exhibition of good grades. Our county is tolerably well adapted to the raising of sheep, but owing in a great measure to the depredations of dogs, there are not many raised.

Quite a number of labor-saving machines, such as reapers and mowers, hayrakes and threshing machines, were on exhibition, which show that improvement is steadily progressing. Plows of improved patterns are constantly coming. But Franklin's motto still holds good, that is

"He who would by the plow thrive,

Himself must either hold or drive.”

FLORAL HALL AND HOUSEHOLD MANUFACTURES.-This départment was well filled with carpets, blankets, quilts, and all manner of household manufactures and tidies of the finest styles and patterns. The hall was beaui ully decorated by the ladies of Greenville and vicinity, which speaks favorably of their taste and

energy.

The principal agricultural products of Darke county are, wheat, corn, oats, barley, rye, potatoes, flax seed and clover-seed, and lately, to some extent, Sorghum or Chinese sugar cane.

WHEAT-Our usual average is from 15 to 18 bushels per acre. The crop this year was fair, but the yield was not so large as last year.

Rye is not very extensively raised; crop this year about an average. CORN. Our usual average is from 35 to 40 bushels per acre. The crop this year is a very good one, above an average, and of a very good quality. OATS Usually about 30 to 35 bushels per acre. POTATOES Generally good.

The yield this year is fair.

FRUIT-The samples on exhibition were fine, but the crop this year was almost

a failure.

Sorgho or Chinese sugar cane, is raised considerably this year, and there will be more next. Quite a number of farmers raised this year one, two and three barrels of molasses, and that of best quality, being nearly or quite equal to the golden syrup.

There has been nothing very remarkable in the past season more than it has been a favorable one for the securing of bountiful crops. We have been visited by the army worm in different parts of the county, but it was not general. The crops most injured by them were corn, barley, meadow and pasture; their stay, however, was of short duration.

DELAWARE COUNTY.

Our farmers, as a general thing, take a great interest in our annual meetings; in fact, our farmers are the chief and almost only supporters of the society, and take unbounded interest and pride in supporting and maintaining the interest and advancement of the society. Our stock, if not so numerous, was equal, if not superior in quality, to any other previous year.

The principal crops raised in our county are corn, wheat, oats, and flax seed. The corn crop was very uneven over the county, owing to the effects of the drouth. The bottom land produced a fair crop, in some cases amounting to ninety bushels per acre; while the upland produced an inferior crop to any that has been produced

for many years.

Wheat gave an average crop, in some places good, and of an excellent quality. There was but little barley raised; the farmers preferring that which ennobles to that which makes the brute.

Oats gave a fair yield, and of a good quality: fifty bushels to an acre is not an uncommon crop-thirty to forty is an average crop.

Flax seed was poor, owing to the excessive drouth. There is a rope manufactory in Delaware, which proves of some value to flax growers, paying some four dollars per ton for the lax straw.

The farming implements in the county are generally good. Reapers and mowers have, within the last few years, become common utensils among our farmers.

There is scarcely any fruit at all in the county, having been destroyed by the late frost in the spring. In favorable seasons our county raises some of the finest fruits. Grapes and apples grew in abundance; and more than this, I am pleased to state that our farmers are taking an increased interest in the cultivation and improvement of fruits, especilly apples and grapes, and have planted large orchards, which flourish well upon our well-adapted soil, while almost every cottage is concealed with grape vines.

The Fair was held on the 17th, 18th, 19th and 20th of September, 1861. The weather was warm and pleasant, and the people turned out marvelously well to see what was to be seen, and learn what was to be learned, not forgetting the main and true object of the society, the cultivation of the moral, intellectual and social qualities of all classes and persons.

FAIRFIELD COUNTY.

The tenth annual Fair of the Fairfield County Agricultural Society was held upon their Fair grounds on the 9th, 10th and 11th of October, 1861.

Notwithstanding fears were entertained by many that, on acc unt of the distracted condition of our country, our Fair might result in a failure, yet we have the satisfaction to report you that the society has met with a success far surpassing our best anticipations.

Whilst the number of our entries fell far short of the number for the preceding year, yet, taking into consideration the entire failure of the fruit crop in this section of Ohio, the number is quite as large as any year preceding.

The cattle show, comparatively, was very meagre, whilst the horse show was the best we ever exhibited; for fine blood, style, for beauty, action, as well as draft, the horse show far surpassed any of our similar exhibitions.

The average of our wheat crop was small, but the quality good. Average of corn crop about forty bushels to the acre, and quality good. Hay crop good; potatoes and oats good.

FAYETTE COUNTY.

The Fayette County Agricultural Society respectfully represents, in pursuance of the statute and the printed requirements of the State Board, as follows: The entire amount of premiums awarded at the last annual Fair, held at Washington, on the 4th, 5th and 6th days of September, was $635.

There were no competitors this year for farms, farm crops, or improvement in tillage.

The number of the members at the last annual election was 37. Many of the old members were wisely retained in the Board. The premium list was arranged as the Board thought in a manner best suited to the community, and, considering the state of the country, the Fair was a decided success.

The society, for some cause, had become considerably embarrassed, but the present Board have about cleared it of debt, and its prospects for success and usefulness, with proper management, are very flattering.

The principal crops raised in the county are corn, wheat, oats, rye, buckwheat, potatoes, fruits and grasses, but to give an estimate of the amount of each cannot, from any of our statistics, be done with sufficient certainty to render it of any value.

The previous year has been remarkably seasonable for all the principal crops adapted to this county, fruit excepted.

The weevil have done some harm to the wheat, but, with this exception, no crops have suffered materially from insects.

The Fair grounds are in good order, and required no material improvement to render them suitable for the last Fair.

FRANKLIN COUNTY.

In compliance with the laws of Ohio for the encouragement of agriculture, and the rules of your Board for the organization and management of County and District Societies, we here with present you with the annual report of the Franklin County Agricultural Society, so far as we are able to comply with the said rules.

The past year was almost anything but favorable for the operations of our society, the state of the country, the financial condition of our treasury, the early season at which our annual Fair was held, and the unfavorable prospect of the

fruit and vegetable crops, all tending to dishearten us, and creating a fear that we should involve ourselves in debt, and meet with poor success.

The report of the late treasurer had been read at a meeting of the old Board, held some time previous to the annual meeting, and his books were examined by a committee and found to be correct, and that there was a balance remaining in his hands of $84 98, which he confessed his utter inability to pay This amount would have aided the society in making various improvements on the Fair grounds, and would also have enabled them to relieve themselves entirely from debt. But the funds have never been paid, and probably never will be. The by-laws of our society requires the treasurer to execute a bond in the sum of $2,000 for the faithful performance of his duties, etc.; but, owing to the ignorance or neglect of several previous Boards, no bond had ever been given. The gentleman who has thus placed our society in an almost bankrupt condition held the office of treasurer for some ten years, and had, during that time, the entire control of the finances of the society.

With this state of the treasury-entirely empty-the new Board were disheartened; but, after consultation, it was determined to hold a Fair, and to borrow money for the purpose of making some needful improvements on the Fair grounds.

The time for the annual Fair was fixed on the 3d, 4th, 5th and 6th days of September. The improvements made on the Fair grounds prior to the holding of the Fair, consisted principally of the erection of additional cattle and horse stalls, the extension of a sewer (covering a run which crosses the grounds), entirely through the grounds, and the enlargement of the ring for the trial of the speed of horses-all valuable improvements, involving an outlay of several hundred dollars, a portion of which was subscribed by citizens of the county.

The list of premiums offered was very large, embracing a great variety, and amouted to over $1,000, payable in cash.

The Fair was held on the days appointed, and, though the exhibition was not in itself a success, yet the attendance upon it was very large, evincing the deep interest the ci izens of the county take in the success of the society. The whole number of entries made was 971, a falling off of near 300 from the previous Fair. The principal entries were in stock, there being a larger show in that line than at any former Fair. The weather during the four days of the Fair was very pleasant, although, in consequence of no rain falling, the dust was almost intolerable in the transit to and from the Fair grounds, which was partly settled by the use of the sprinkling wagons.

The total receipts of the Fair, from all sources, was....
The expenditures, including the payment of borrowed money, were..

$2,114 71

2,186 34

Leaving a deficit of.....

$71 63

Which amount has been anticipated by the Board in the amount due from the county. A list of the premiums awarded are attached hereto. The entire indebt

edness of the society now is about $342, being balance due on 24 acres of land purchased as an addition to the Fair grounds some three years ago.

The whole number of members of the society is 1100. The grounds and fixtures of the society are worth at least $10,000.

Although the financial condition of the society looks rather gloomy, yet we believe there is a glorious future in store for it, and that eventually we shall be free from debt, with as fine a Fair grounds, with permanent fixtures thereon, as may be found in the State. We might have been relieved from all debt whatever, and been high and dry above the financial storm which some think is now threatening our once happy and prosperous county, had our late treasurer been able to pay over the balance of the society's funds in his possession.

The principal crops raised in this county are wheat, corn, oats and potatoes. The raising of stock is also carried on to a very great extent. The peculiar characteristics of the past season were the falling of a great deal of rain during some portions of the season, while at other times dry weather was the complaint of our farmers. The fruit crop in this county was quite meagre, the peach and apple crop being an entire failure. Berries of all kinds were plenty. We cannot give an estimate of the amount of crops raised, nor the average yield per acre.

FULTON COUNTY.

The Fulton County Agricultural Society would respectfully submit the following report, in conformity with the rules of the State Board of Agriculture :

Our Society is in a prosperous condition. Our Fourth Annual Fair, which was held at the Society's grounds, near Ottokee, on the 18th, 19th and 20th of September last (1861), was by far the best that the Society has ever held. The weather was fine, although very hot, and the grounds of the Society, which contain about eight acres, were filled to overflowing; in fact, the crowd was so dense that it was uncomfortable; nevertheless, every one kept their temper, and the utmost good feeling prevailed.

The show was very fine in almost every department. The show of horses was very large; and if our county does not contain as good horses as any in the State, there is none that can exceed our citizens in the spirit of competition, as the list of entries will show. In Class A (blooded horses) the entries went up to nearly forty, and in Class B (horses for all work) they went up to nearly one hundred and fifty. The show of cattle was large, both blooded stock and grades. The stock of sheep and hogs was not large, but very fine, while agricultural implements and mechanical labor were well represented; but the chief attraction during the fair was the Ladies' Department, or Floral Hall, as it was denominated. On entering it, the spectator was perfectly bewildered with b auty; every thing that was rich, rare, and lovely, met the eye, and arranged with the most elegaut taste.