58 



good exhibition of live stock of different kinds, and a good 

 variety of the products of our soil, and could awaken a cor- 

 responding interest among our agriculturists and mechanics, 

 its foundations were considered sure and steadfast. 1 am 

 happy to say the first exibition and its results, were more than 

 realized. The premiums offered, amounted, in cash, to some- 

 thing like one hundred and fifty dollars. The cash awards 

 made were about one hundred dollars. The number of com- 

 petitors, with their articles for premiums, of course are not 

 shown in this schedule. There was a great increase of mem- 

 bers of the society and of course a corresponding increase 

 to the funds in the treasury, besides numerous individual do- 

 nations. The number of members is about one hundred and 

 sixty. After paying the current expenses, and the expense 

 of the fair, there were fifty-seven dollars in the treasury, and 

 about eighteen dollars back on fee of membership. Forty- 

 five dollars were received out of the county treasury in pur- 

 suance of the law. 



I have thought it necessary to make this exhibit of the 

 financial condition of our society, to meet the requirements 

 of the law, and to preface them with the few explanatory 

 remarks for the encouragement of other counties about form- 

 ing agricultural societies. 



I shall endeavor to answer the questions propounded by the 

 S tate Board, as far as my information will admit, and in their 

 order as near as possible, and in as concise a manner as is 

 consistent with my obligations and the nature of the informa- 

 tion sought for. 



1. Wheat. — This is the most important product of Elkhart 

 county. The statistics of the last census shows its amount 

 in the aggregate at one hundred and seventy-five thousand 

 two hundred and eleven bushels, being above all other coun- 

 ties in the State, except Laporte, and nearly equal to that 

 when we take into consideration the amount of land under 

 cultivation. We have the usual varieties in wheat growing 

 districts, among which I will enumerate what we call the 



