AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. ' 291 



ANNUAL MEETING. 



The members of the San Joaquin Valley District Agricultural 

 Society convened in annual session Saturday afternoon, January 

 10th, 1880, at Mozart Hall, pursuant to official call. The time 

 appointed for the meeting was two o'clock, but it was not called to 

 order until half an hour later. In calling the meeting to order 

 President Shippee stated the object to be the hearing of reparts, the 

 election of a President of the Society to serve for the term of one 

 year, and two Directors to serve for three years. These Directors 

 were to fill the places of John Moore and Fred. Arnold, whose terms 

 had expired. 



Mr. Larue, the Secretary, read the minutes of the previous meet- 

 ing, and the same were, on motion of A. Wolf, approved as read. 



By request of Mr. Shippee, the Secretary then read as follows, the 



PRESIDENT'S ANNUAL ADDRESS. 



With to-day we close the nineteenth year of our organization. 

 During that time our Society has experienced some of the reverses 

 so common on the Pacific Slope, but I may safely say that its future 

 prosperity and influence has never ,been so well assured as at 

 present. 



Our transactions for the year just past have been in accordance 

 with the plan of action suggested at our last annual meeting. Your 

 Board of Managers have caused needed improvements to be made at 

 our Park. During the year 1879 we have paid out for improve- 

 ments about $3,600. 



In the late October gale one of our large buildings at the Park was 

 blown down. This is quite unfortunate for our Society, but the 

 material 'of the building, which in a great measure was but little 

 damaged, can be used for rebuilding at no great additional expense. 



Strenuous exertions have been made to obtain a suitable building 

 for our Pavilion exhibition. We considered the block bounded by 

 Weber Avenue, El Dorado, Bridge, and Hunter Streets an eligible 

 location, and a proposition was made to the owner looking to its 

 substantial improvement, which would furnish us a room on a single 

 floor covering 20,000 square feet. Its owner, however, declined the 

 offer, and it seemed to be utterly impossible to obtain a favorable 

 location for such purpose elsewhere within the means of the Society. 

 We were Anally obliged, at a considerable expense, to arrange for our 

 Pavilion on Center Street. 



Our track was never in better condition than during the past year, 

 as is evidenced by the fast trotting done. Its condition and favora- 

 ble reputation, together with our liberal purses, brought the most 

 noted horses on the Paciflc Coast to be speeded over it. 



Our stock premiums were again materially increased, and with 

 good effect. I judge you should increase your premiums in all classes 

 at least twenty-flve per cent, the present year. We were obliged to 



