309 



The following table gives the number of entries and amount of 

 entries and the amount of premiums offered and paid during the 

 past 32 years at the fairs held in this State, so far as reported. 



STATE FAIRS. 



The following tables give the amount of premiums offered by the 

 managers of the Illinois State Fair since its organization in 1858. 

 It will be seen that the growth in each department has been steady, 

 and has been met by the management with increased inducements 

 in the way of premiums in each of the departments. 



The first of the succeeding tables gives the aggregate amount 

 offered during the past 49 years in each department, and the second 

 the amount offered each year: 



Cattle $162,296 



Horses, mules and equestrianism . . 19U. 901 



Speed 133,460 



Sheep 57,166 



Swine 55,950 



Poultry 24.505 



Mechanic arts 13.119 



Farm products 59,217 



Horticulture and floriculture 49, 141 



Fine art 12,667 



Textile fabrics 25.483 



NHtural history 9.974 



Educat ion 16, 425 



Dairy and nantry stores 37,668 



Miscellaneous 21,139 



Total $869,111 



