188 TRANSACTIONS OF THE 



day, traveling over some of the same ground that had been traveled^ 

 over in the last three years, and taking in all localities of interest 

 that had never been visited, making notes of the progress and improve- 

 ment in all the industries. They prepared and published a premium 

 list much more extensive in scope and minute in detail and greater 

 in the aggregate of premiums offered than Jiad before been adopted, 

 and went to work with a will to push the accomplishment of the 

 object of the Society, if possible, with greater zeal and effect than they 

 had been pushed before. In the annual report of the Board to the 

 Society are found a few statements which indicate pretty plainly that 

 a better state of public feeling toward the Society must have been 

 brought about before the fair was held in the following September. 

 These statements are as follows: 



The area njjon which the show was made in the various halls show an aggregate of more 

 than forty-one thousand feet of flooring, which in every department was well filled with articles 

 each in its a]:)propriate place, besides the vast amouut of wall room which was everywhere 

 hung with such goods as could be properly exhibited by being susjjended. 



The stock grounds were originally planned to accommodate about one-quarter more animals 

 tlian were on exhibition in 1859, and the contract for the construction of the stalls and amphi- 

 theater was duly executed. But a whole week before the fair was opened it became evident 

 that the fixtures were too limited for the immense exhibition that was accumulating on every 

 hand. The amphitheater was enlarged to inore than twice its original capacity, and was still 

 wanting in room when the crowd came. The number of stalls was doubled, and then an 

 additional hundred constructed, and yet we were closely pushed for room before all the stock 

 had arrived. The fair of 1S59 (larger than any previous one) had in the stock grounds three 

 hundred and forty-five animals of all kinds, that of 1860 had one thousand and thirty. In the 

 former fair the fruits were exhibited on seventy-five dozen plates, in the latter one hundred and 

 eighty dozen were occupied without satisfying the desire of exhibitors for room. In other 

 ■departments the increase was about the same jjroportion. In 1859 our entries numbered one 

 thousand and forty-five, while in 1860 they numbered three thousand and two, and the crowds 

 in attendance were frequently greater than ever before on a similar occasion. 



While this statement is literally true, it is, notwithstanding, true 

 that a much larger proportion of the articles exhibited were con- 

 tributed by the counties immediately surrounding Sacramento than 

 at the last preceding fair. It is also true that the general attendance 

 was considerably less, as shown by the falling off of receipts for mem- 

 berships and fees for admission to the fair. These receipts for 1860 

 being $18,584 50 as against $28,639 50 for 1859. 



But while the rivalry in other localities kept exhibitors from these 

 localities away from the State Fair, and decreased the general attend- 

 ance and receipts, it also had the effect to stimulate local pride and 

 exertion, and thus kept up and probably accelerated general improve- 

 ment and progress in agricultural and kindred industries throughout 

 the State. In their annual report the Board of Managers say; 



It is a gratifying fact that farming proper, that is, the scientific, systematic culture of the soil 

 — the routine of successive crops, the judicious return of food to the soil, the construction of 

 permanent fences and buildings, and the planting of shade and ornamental trees for the pro- 

 tection and comfort of stock, is everywhere becoming the subject of thought and action, amount- 

 ing (in many cases) to actual enthusiasm, and signifying, in the strongest possible manner, that 

 our tailtivators are not only determined to make California their home, but to make for them- 

 .selves homes in California, which shall suffer in comparison with none in the nation. 



Speaking of the improvement in stock breeding, the Board con- 

 tinues: 



Perhaps if we were to compare the interest and the improvements in the various depart- 

 ments of laudable industry in the State by means of a gi-aduating scale, stock breeding would 

 at the jiresent time constitute the " summit." With reference to the past, this is certainly the 

 golden age of stock in California, but we trust that with reference to the future, it is but the 

 beginning — the mere twilight ot the age — that a manhood in the departments is to be attained, 

 •compared with which the jDresent interest is the merest infant. 



