The regular meetings of the Board are held at Egg Harbor City on the first Friday in March, June, September and December.

ANNUAL REPORT.

Our meetings are generally well attended, and great interest manifested in the chief topics in this vicinity; the growing of grapes, berries and other small fruits; diseases of plants and animals; injurious insects and their extermination, &c.

It is to be regretted, though, that besides the Egg Harbor City Agricultural Society, not one of the Societies in the county shows any interest in the workings of the Board, by joining the same, and visiting its stated meetings, which are regularly advertised in every paper in the county.

There is one Fruit Grower's Union, and there are two Poultry Raisers' Societies at Hammonton; one Fruit Gardener's Uniou

(organized last spring) in Galloway township; the Atlantic County Agricultural and Horticultural Association (Fair Association), and the old Egg Harbor City Agricultural Society, but only the last named has been upholding the County Board so far.

With great satisfaction I can state that a larger number of the citizens of the county than in previous years obliged me by returning the circulars I sent them, answered. Out of twentytwo there were nine, against three of last year :

From Hamilton township, J. L. Veal, P. M.

From Egg Harbor township, James Tilton.

From Mullica Hill township, Capt. Charles Sealmans.

From Galloway township, (Port Republic,) Richard L. Collins. From Galloway township, Herman Kayser.

From Egg Harbor City, Egg Harbor City Agricultural Society. in session.

From Egg Harbor City, Atlantic County Board of Agriculture, in session.

Absecon and Hammonton townships returned the report not signed.

As far as Galloway and Mullica townships and Egg Harbor City are concerned, it may be safely stated that about three hundred and fifty acres of new land have been brought under cultivation during the last year, mostly for raising berries and forage plants.

In answering the questions in the circular of the State Board, I would say, the wages of farm laborers by the month vary from $10 to $15 per month, with board, and $20 at Absecon. Without board, from seventy-five cents to $1.50 per day. Board is mostly furnished to monthly help, but seldom to day laborers.

Only with the exceptions of Absecon, Egg Harbor and Hamilton townships, it has been stated that more married than single men are employed on the farms.

Most of the reports show that farm help is mostly native, especially monthly help; with the day laborers, more are foreign. Questions from seven to ten have all been answered in the negative; no silos have been tried in this county.

Root crops for winter feed are grown in nearly all parts of the county, except at Port Republic, and in Hamilton township.

Mr. R. C. Collins, of the former place, remarks that his answers were referring to the immediate vicinity of the same.

Mr. J. L. Veal, of May's Landing, Hamilton township, adds the following remarks to his report:

"This is not much of a farming community. The people live here from the salt meadows, cutting wood, and working in a cotton mill. The soil is light, but good for fruit, and all the people need to make it pay is a little capital and energy."

The milk business is reported increasing in Hamilton township and Egg Harbor City; stationary in Galloway and Mullica townships, and decreasing in Egg Harbor township and Absecon.

Among the crops that receive less attention than ten years ago, may be mentioned wheat, rye and oats, and in some parts, corn and sweet potatoes. In Egg Harbor and the immediate vicinity, grapes. The culture of hops has disappeared entirely.

Corn, small fruits and vegetables are receiving more attention than formerly; also, grass and clover where the soil is suitable.

Of all the reports, only Mullica township shows only one farmer engaged in raising sheep. The cause of discouragement in this line is the want of proper pasture, as land is too valuable to turn it into pasture; the tariff on wool is too low, and dogs are too destructive.

The raising and fattening of hogs for market is, in most parts of the county, on the decrease. The direct causes being most probably the heavy losses suffered for a number of years by cholera. During the past season, however, few or no diseases have been observed in these parts, while in former years the losses amounted to fifty per cent. and even more.

The poultry interest receives increased attention everywhere in this county. That great centre of poultry raising-Hammonton -shows its most beneficial influence in this direction.

The gentleman from Hammonton says in his report : "Artificial hatching is already a large business and is increasing rapidly. Thousands of dollars are invested in it, and thus far, with great success. Loss, about ten per cent. Paralysis in chickens and roup in hens, are the prevailing diseases."

The fattening of cattle for market has almost entirely ceased, owing to the laws prohibiting cattle to run at large, and that it does not pay, because it can be done cheaper in the West.

Farmers mostly raise calves from their own stock, very seldom import northern or western cows. Diseases introduced by imported stock are not known to us nor reported from any part of the county. Alderneys, Jersey grades, Holsteins and common stock bred to Alderney are the most popular breeds for dairy purposes; no creameries are reported.

Roads in the county and streets in the towns are mostly in good (some in very good) condition. Hammonton has very fine streets and they are kept in good condition by a road overseer, at an expense of $2,500 annually.

Galloway township is working it in the same manner, and has raised $1,200.

Egg Harbor City expended $1,000 for grading new streets and for repairs; and about $1,000 alone for putting the avenue in front of the Camden and Atlantic Railroad in fine order. About $4,000 was spent for planting shade trees along the streets. They have a road roller and a road scraper, which are doing good service.

Mullica township also purchased a Pennock Road Machine.

Farmers, as a class, do not appear to be perfectly satisfied with their condition. In regard to their complaints, various answers were received:

Egg Harbor City complains of low prices for what they sell, and very high prices for what they have to buy.

Hamilton township: There is not a self-sustaining farm in the township. People have to depend somewhat upon gathering salt hay and cutting wood.

Hammonton: They complain of receiving less than their share of the prices paid by the consumer.

To Question 27, what do farmers and agriculturalists mostly need to-day? I also prefer to give you some various answers literally.

Egg Harbor township: A very material decrease in tariff on those articles they are compelled to buy both for household and farm use.

Absecon Better organizations, which would give more information in regard to raising and marketing crops.

Mullica township: Better tillage of the soil and increasing fertility of the same by raising of more cattle and sheep.

Egg Harbor City: More manuring, and some capital. Hammonton township: Capital. We are making it but slowly. In regard to the bulletins of the State Experiment Stations, it may be said that farmers are benefitted by them, and that most of those who receive them, read them. They mostly appreciate the analysis of fertilizers, and use them as a guide in purchasing such.

May I be allowed to mention here, that the copies of the Annual Reports of the State Board are always gladly received and considered very desirable reading for the long winter evenings, and good material for discussion in meetings.

The Weather Signal Service can be used by those who are not too far distant from railroads, or have a Signal Station in town. Egg Harbor township says, "Do not know of any." But all along the railroads they are mostly guided and benefitted by them. We, in Egg Harbor City, are fortunate in having our own volunteer Signal Officer, Mr. H. Y. Postma, who is untiringly making his observations, punctually raising his flags, and not in the least discouraged when the following weather is belieing his signals.

Following is a summary of observations :