614 Transactions of the 



PRESIDENT'S ADDRESS. 



Gentlemen of the San Joaquin Valley Agricultural Society: 



In the closing of this, the fourteenth year of the existence of this 

 society, I deem the occasion not inappropriate to briefly refer to its 

 present condition and future requirements. 



At the time, one year ago, you saw fit to confer upon the present 

 officers their honorable positions, the society had, only by the most effi- 

 cient management, struggled through a succession of poor seasons and 

 other adversities, but at the cost of maintaining its existence its per- 

 sonal property had become comparatively valueless. In assuming their 

 duties the present officers found the stand and other buildings at the 

 race track in a dilapidated condition, and the track itself utterly unfit 

 for anything like a fair trial of speed They discovered, also, that in 

 order to make the society prosperous, to carry out the intentions of 

 their predecessors, and hold a successful Fair, the outlay of a considera- 

 ble sum of money would be required to make the needed improvements. 

 But, relying upon the assistance of the people at large, as heretofore 

 manifested, the Board of Directors took the responsibility of having the 

 track newly laid out and regraded entire, and to-day the society can 

 boast of a race track that is equal, if not superior, to any in California. 

 A new and capacious stand for spectators has been erected, which will 

 prove adequate for all requirements for years. New stalls were also 

 erected and old ones repaired, and other necessary work done on the 

 grounds, the whole cost of which amounts in the aggregate to nearly 

 eight thousand dollars. 



The annual Fair, so far as we have been able to ascertain, proved sat- 

 isfactory to exhibitors and visitors, and, in a financial point of view, was 

 successful beyond the expectations of the managers. We are enabled, 

 therefore, to retire from office leaving the society in a prosperous condi- 

 tion, free from debt, a surplus in the hands of the Treasurer, and prop- 

 erty worth not less than eight thousand dollars. 



For what has been accomplished during the year, your officers are 

 not unmindful of the facts that to the liberality of the people of Stock- 

 ton and of San Joaquin County and Valley the}* are indebted. Nobly 

 did the people respond to the necessities of the occasion, and to them 

 the praise is due. 



To the reports of the Secretary and Treasurer you are respectfully re- 

 ferred for the financial transactions and condition of the society in detail. 



Respecting the future of the society, permit me to suggest that there 

 is much to be accomplished yet. At the Fair grounds the greater por 

 tion of the old stalls should be removed, and give place to new ones of 

 greater capacity, and with shingled roofs. 



A water-tank, of a capacity of not less than five thousand gallons, is 

 needed, by means of which sufficient water could be constantly furnished 

 for sprinkling the track and the streets leading to the grounds, at a 

 much less expense than heretofore. 



