When the cultivated lands of our county are thoroughly underdrained, then, and not till then, will Lorain county produce to its full capacity.

LUCAS COUNTY.

The period of dissatisfaction in the history of this society was fully reached at the close of the last year, and it was impossible to persuade our best men to accept and hold the offices of the society. The undersigned was, therefore, elected president, and acted also as secretary. We held the fourth Fair at Toledo, on the 24th and 25th of September. The show was, in some respects, inferior to the last; but in horses and implements superior. The display of fruit was good. The ladies contributed liberally the products of domestic industry, and the show of rare flowers and leaf plants by Mr. Lenk was a brilliant feature of the exhibition. Our people, always generous on such occasions, filled the grounds. The "Gallant Fourteenth" favored us with a dress parade. Our finances are improved and sound, and, with a good board of officers for the ensuing year, we are quite hopeful.

Our county is improving, the climate is favorable, no serious drouth has affected this region in the ten years of my residence here. The crops of grass, corn, potatoes and fruit are unusually sure, and command good prices, so many and diverse markets are opened to us by the numerous and convenient channels of commerce. The system of drainage provided for in our ditch laws is working a cure for most of the disadvantages of the "north-west," and it may be safely claimed that no portion of the country now offers better inducements to the enterprise of the young farmers of Ohio than this.

Respectfully,

DARWIN E. GARDNER.

MADISON COUNTY.

Our Society is in a more flourishing condition than since its organization, and during the past year has liquidated a debt of over $300.

During the last fair, which was held on the 4th, 5th and 6th of September, 1861, no family tickets were sold, and we find the sale of single tickets more remunerative and equally satisfactory. The fair was not so good in point of display as on former occasions, and in this only were we disappointed.

This, however, must be attributed to the distracted condition of the country, and not to lack of interest or failure on the part of the management.

The crops were very good, although not equal to the preceding year, and may be termed a fair average of all the products.

The

crop of corn may be estimated at one and a half million of bushels, and the average product, 50 bushels per acre; wheat two hundred and fifty thousand The season was very bushels, and the average product, 20 bushels per acre.

good.

MAHONING COUNTY.

Our fair was held on the 1st, 2d, 3d and 4th of October, 1861. It would be exceedingly tedious to give a lengthy account of the proceedings of the Agricultural Society of this county, but suffice it to say, that the Society is in a flourishing condition, its success during the last year being unequalled by any previous year since its earliest organization. The board as a general thing has been filled by the most energetic and active men in the county, men who have a concern for the welfare of the agricultural, manufacturing and mechanical interest of the county.

The number of members during the last year was three hundred and twenty. The present prospects for its usefulness and progress have heretofore been unparalleled, and the finances are now in a better and more encouraging condition than they have been for several years past, and the members generally evince a determination to render the organization permanent in its character and useful in its work.

The crops upon an average have been excellent during the past year. We have no striking characteristics to report, nothing of any importance having happened to the crops of our county during the last year.

The different crops have been somewhat larger and of equally as good quality for the last year as they have been heretofore, and abundantly repaying the hand of industry and honest toil.

About the only destructive insects that have done any damage to the growing crops have been the grass-hoppers; they done some damage to the hay, and also injured the corn some. While the damage done to the hay crop has raised the price of hay per ton to a price somewhat higher than usual, yet the scarcity of it is not generally felt by our farmers.

As to a general view of agriculture in this county, we can only say, that the agricultural interests of the county are in a healthy and flourishing condition, the land gener lly bein; under a fine state of cultivation and usually producing fair crops, which are gradually and steadily enriching the county.

The principal crops raised in the county are wheat, of which there was swn during the last year, (as nearly as we can now ascertain) about 10,837 acres, and yielding on an average about 13 bushels per acre; rye, number of acres sown about 1,180; corn, number of acres planted during the last year, 13,742, and producing on an average about 30 bushels to the acre; oats, number of acres sown about 12,425, and producing about 34 bushels to the acre on an average.

There was about 31,850 acres of meadow, which produced about 46,875 tons of hay.

The horses of the county are usually good. The farmers mostly look well to the "breed" of their horses and have the stock now well improved

Some of the finest cattle are raised in this county that can be found in Northern Ohio. Sheep of all kinds improving constantly. Much credit is due our farmers. for their improvement in this department of stock.

MARION COUNTY.

The eleventh annual exhibition of the Marion County Agricultural Society, was advertised to be held on the Society s grounds, on 25th, 26th and 27th days of September, but owing to the National Fast being on the 26th, was postponed to the 2d, 3d and 4th days of October, 1861. The fair was what might be considered good these war times. Total number of entries 523.

There was no competition for premiums on field crops, the objection raised by most persons, is in being compelled to comply with the law; the expense and trouble is more than the majority of agriculturists are willing to undergo, especially on wheat, oats, rye and grass, as they come in a season of the year that time is precious with farmers. The number of members for 1861, was 94.

Marion county may be considered a grazing and grain growing county; the southern and sou h-eastern to grain growing, the northern and western to grazing. The principal crops raised are, corn, hay, wheat, oats, buckwheat and rye, the three first named crops will be below an average this year.

HORSES.-There has been considerable pains taken of late years to improve the horse stock, several thorough bred horses having been introduced in the county, which have given every satisfaction. Several of our enterprising stock growers introduced a French Norman draft horse this season, but had the misfortune to lose him by disease, soon after. There has been quite a number of horses shipped from this county for the army, as near as can be ascertained 1,000 head, averaging $35 00 per head, making $85,000 for horses. The number of horses returned by assessors were 7,689 head, valued at $390,066. The number of entries at the fair were 83 head, most of which were very good.

MULES-There are some mules raised in this county, mostly sent south, to Kentucky, at weaning time; value this season $30 00, other seasons $40 00 to $60 00. The number of mules returned by assessors were 81 head, valued at $5,480. The number of entries at the fair was three.

CATTLE. In the stock of cattle there has been a great improvement in the last few years, mostly in Short-Horn and grade Short-Horn cattle. The grade cattle in this county are very good, some competing successfully with thorough bred cattle for sweepstake premiums (Why not have a grade list in State Fair premium list, if the great portion of our cattle in the State are to be improved, it

must be by raising of grade cattle? why, therefore, not encourage the breeding of grade cattle by offering premiums for the best grades?) The number of cattle shipped from this county to the Eastern market is large, but we have no means of ascertaining the exact number. The number of cattle returned by assessors were 19,535 head, valued at $232,000; the number of entries of cattle at the fair was 43 thorough bred cattle, and 32 native and grade cattle, making a total of 75 entries.

SHEEP. There was considerable competition in the sheep department this season, more than ever before, and the sheep shown were very good, mostly heavy wool sheep, of the Spanish Merino variety. The sheep interest of Marion county has improved rapidly for the last few years. There has been of late years, sheep imported here from Vermont, Pennsylvania and the eastern part of this State. The number of sheep in the county returned by assessors was 60,463, valued at $180,536. The number of entries were 71 fine and heavy wool, and seven long wool, making 78 entries.

HOGS.-There has been a great improvement in the breed of hogs for the last few years, the old long nosed and high bristled sorts have given away to the improved breeds. Suffolks, Leicestershire and Chester Whites are about the leading varieties. There were from assessors returns 37,904 head, valued at $102,There were 21 entries in small breeds and 14 in large breeds, making 35

878.

entries.

MECHANICAL PRODUCTIONS.-The mechanical productions at our fair were well represented, mostly of home manufacture, except farming utensils, which are mostly imported into this county. There were some plows and other farm implements of home manufacture that done credit to the makers. If there were more of our implements made in this county, it would be better for the agricultural interest of the county. The repairs can be better, cheaper and quicker done where the articles are manufactured.

FRUITS.-The fruit crop this season was almost a failure, so far as peaches and apples are concerned. The grape crop was good, but late. The grape interest of this county is on the increase; most vineyards that are bearing are doing well. CHINESE SUGAR CANE-There has been considerable sugar cane raised this season in this county, and manufactured into syrup, principally by home process; some was manufactured by Evaporators which proved to be of better quality. VEGETABLES.-The show in this class was behind last season, on account of the season being so dry.

GRAIN AND SEEDS.-The show in this class was very good.

FLORAL HALL-We are sorry to say was poorly represented, but we hope in the future to be able to report better for the ladies of Marion county.

According to assessors returns for 1861, their were 11,058 acres of wheat, producing 151,329 bushels; 480 acres of rye, producing 5,487 bushels; 86 acres of barley, producing 1,439 bushels; 539 acres of buckwheat, producing 7,212 bushels; 36,639 acres of corn, producing 1,411,028 bushels; 8,839 acres of oats, producing 294,993 bushels; 18,152 acres of meadow, producing 24,789

tons of hay; 817 acres of potatoes, producing 850,052 bushels, and 306,353 pounds of butter and 5,449 pounds of cheese. Total value of personal property in the county, $1,861,332.

As labor becomes scarce and high, more farm machinery is introduced. There has been quite a number of reaping and mowing machines and threshing machines sold in this county this season.

The army worm destroyed considerable in the southeast portion of the county, mostly grass and oats; the midge or weevil injured the wheat crop to some extent; they were quite numerous, but appearing late in the season did not do much damage. They made their appearance about the first of July, when the wheat was very near out of the milky state. The wire worm done considerable damage to the corn crop at planting time.

According to the estimate of poultry dealers, there are about 60 tons of turkeys to send to Eastern markets, valued at 4 cents per pound, and about 120 tons of other fowls, valued at 2 cents per pound, making over $10,000 for poultry.

We have five acres enclosed in fair grounds, valued at $500; value of buildings on same $200.

MEDINA COUNTY.

The Medina County Agricultural Society held their annual Fair at Medina, October 10th, 11th and 12th, A. D. 1861. We had a good time at our annual meeting, and the display of stock was never better. The society, however, did very well, considering the former pull-backs it has received, and the disadvantages it has labored under. Many of the Town Fairs, which for two or three years past have been in full blast, this year failed up, as the saying is; consequently, the County Fair will do better when once over the difficulty these Town Fairs have thrown in their way. People, after seeing all at a Township Fair, get tired, and conclude not to attend the County Fair; therefore, it is better for the one to do away with the other. The prospect now is that this society will be a permanent one, and have a good effect on the farming community. The effect so far, since its organization, has been first rate.

Owing to a deranged state of the books heretofore kept, the list of members cannot be correctly ascertained-probably about 250-but this number we have to guess at. We intend to arrange matters on a better foundation this winter, and a committee is already out for the purpose of purchasing a permanent ground for this society to hold forth on hereafter.

Premiums awarded on live stock.....

66

on other departments....

$286 00

97 55

The principal crops raised in this county are wheat, rye, barley, corn, buckwheat, oats, hay, potatoes and beans. As this county is a better grazing than grain county, our grain product per acre will not be as much as in some other