244 Transactions of the 



of mechanical skill, as well as the promptness with which our earn- 

 est and intelligent tillers of the soil avail themselves of the latest 

 improvements and the most perfect facilities for securing the largest 

 returns from the earth at the smallest expenditure of money, time, 

 and labor. 



There, too, during the week, will occur a series of most interesting 

 competition in the speed of horses for the very liberal premiums and 

 purses that have been offered. 



I most earnestly invite all to the Park and see what a city of build- 

 ings have been erected there within the last four weeks, for the 

 accommodation of the stock now on the ground; a ride there will 

 satisfy you tliat the Association has not confined its enterprise to this 

 department alone, but has been more vigilant, if jjossible, there than 

 here, in providing for the comfort and convenience of its visitors and 

 competitors in that department. 



And now, in declaring this first annual exhibition open, it only 

 remains for me to remind you that it is the first; and while the 

 Board of Directors take pride in the apparent perfection of the 

 arrangements, and feel justified in saying that there will be mani- 

 fested imperfections which must be attributed only to a lack of expe- 

 rience of those charged with the duties of planning such a multiplicity 

 of parts, yet all in one. But as this is only the first of an annual 

 series of similar exhibitions, we shall rely confidently^ on the indul- 

 gence of our friends for any such defects that may be developed, 

 with the assurance that we hope to profit by our experience and give 

 a more perfect entertainment another year. 



But in order to do that we must be permitted to count on the con- 

 tinued cooperation of the friends of this enterprise who have so 

 generously contributed their stock and products to make this display 

 complete, and I now call for the enlistment of all the activities and 

 energies of all our people. 



Let us strive together to make this the grand annual gathering of 

 the entire industrial portion of this great center of population, an 

 object well worthy the attention of all citizens, remembering that 

 improvement is the great object of these industrial exhibitions. To 

 accomplish the greatest good with the means afforded them, has been 

 and is the password of the officers and managers of this Association. 



To do even-handed justice between each and every exhibitor is the 

 most ardent wish of every member and office of the Board, and I 

 now assure you that they will do all they can on their part to con- 

 duct the fair to a termination which shall be as satisfactory as its 

 beginning is auspicious. 



These fairs can be made of mutual profit and improvement, and 

 the means of bringing our people together in closer bonds of friend- 

 ship and neighborly love. 



