As Sherbrooke was surrounded largely by barren and rocky lands, it did not have sufficient agricultural hinterland to develop as a market town.(52) Such fertile farming land as existed on the intervals of the river and various pockets of soil in the forests was devoted to raising crops useful to the lumber camps, e.g. hay and oats for horses, buckwheat, potatoes, turnips, peas, beans, pork and other standbys for lumber cooks. Often crops grown on the intervale land were damaged by floods.(53)
Inhabitants of outlying villages had to bring their grain to be ground. In 1834 the people of Indian Harbour protested to the House of Assembly "that there is no mills to manufacture their grain nearer than Saint Mary's, distance of thirty miles and that the road is in such a state, that it is (as yet) impossible in winter or summer to get a horse or team to the said mills with a load".(54) They asked for financial assistance to build their own mill.
The St. Mary's Agricultural Society was formed in 1846, mostly by farmers upriver, to introduce "the best and most scientific system of tillage practised in England, Scotland and America as far as the same may be applicable to this district, offering premiums to excite enterprise and emulation by the importation of seeds, implements, of Husbandry Books and the choice (sic) specimens of new and improved breed of cattle from other countries." William McKeen was President, Alexander Archibald was the Vice-President, Reverend John Campbell was the Treasurer; William Sinclair, Secretary; and Committee Members were Archibald Jordain, Samuel Archibald, Peter Grant, Alexander McKenzie, David K. McKeen, Isaac McKean and Samuel Cumminger.(55) In September 1846 William Sinclair resigned as Secretary "on account of his being somewhat of a seafaring man, and therefore frequently from home, he could not conveniently attend to the business of the society."(56) Neil Gunn succeeded Sinclair as Secretary.
In the report for 1847 it was pointed out that "this has been a lumber district from its first settlement; nor will many of our best farmers (although sensible of it's injurious tendency) be induced to mind their farms, and give up working in the woods; yet we are convinced that no one circumstance, has so much retarded the improvement of agriculture, and the general advancement of this district as that above mentioned. Another difficulty which we have severely felt, is the want of markets - Halifax has been of little benefit to us, on account of the badness of our roads; and our having so little information respecting the state of the markets that we could not successfully compete with other parts of the Province. This state of things, however, is gradually passing away, and we hope son to enjoy equal privileges with our neighbours in this respect. This season a small cargo of cattle was sent to St. John's, Newfoundland which paid tolerably well, and may prove the commencement of a trade between here and that place."(57)
The St. Mary's Agricultural Society remained active until 1858, and was concerned with bringing in seed and agricultural publications, and improved implements such as threshers and separators to be sold at public auction, and also sponsoring exhibitions of cattle, colts, sheep, pigs, cabbage, turnips, butter, oats, wheat, barley, buckwheat and cloths.(58)
In 1858 the society failed to carry out any programs because they were in debt for 27 pounds to pay for "a threshing machine and cleaner", but their Secretary Simon Fraser reported that they had no regrets about this purchase for it "does work well and exceeds anything that was expected from it."(59)