478 TRANSACTIONS OF THE 



ANNUAL ADDRESS. 



Delivered August 27, 1885, by Charles A. Swisler. 



Mr. President, Ladies, and Gentlemen : Again has the great hand 

 upon the dial-plate of time pointed to the season of the year when the 

 various productions of the State shall be brought together and exhibited to 

 the critical eye of the public, within those agricultural districts into which, 

 for greater convenience in making such exhibitions, the State has been 

 divided. 



The agricultural association of this, the Eighth Agricultural District of 

 the great State of California, taking note of that indicating hand, and 

 warned by the presence of the season when our district is filled with the 

 scent of ripe and ripening fruit; when the trees of our orchards are bending 

 unto breaking with their groaning loads of luscious treasures; when the 

 bins and storehouses overflow with the golden grain, and the time for the 

 purple vintage draws near, have, in accordance with the annual custom, 

 arranged and opened to the public the fifteenth annual exhibition of the 

 El Dorado District Agricultural Association, No. 8, for the Counties of El 

 Dorado, Amador, Alpine, and Mono. 



The Directors of this association, worthy and representative gentlemen 

 from these several counties, have wisely decided to hold this Fair in our 

 city, where superior advantages are afforded in the way of race track, stock 

 park, and pavilion. These have all been visited and viewed by you since the 

 opening of this exposition, and in particular have you noticed, I doubt not, 

 the good condition of the stock grounds, the accommodations there afforded 

 to exhibitors of stock, the prime condition of the track, where the speed 

 and mettle of the horses of our district are being so creditably displayed 

 and tested, and the excellent arrangement and classification of the exhibits 

 here in the pavilion. 



An unfortunate and disastrous conflagration has, within but a few weeks, 

 deprived us of what was a comfortable and amply commodious pavilion, 

 but the untiring energy and activity of the Directors have been equal to the 

 emergency, and we are here well provided with room and shelter for pavil- 

 ion purposes, where this fine exhibition has been arranged, and where, as 

 we feast the eye upon art's and nature's works, the ear is entertained with 

 the sounds of sweetest music. 



After a visit to the stock and driving park, and an inspection there of 

 the live stock and blooded horses, and an evening spent in these halls, 

 among the exhibits here, one is conscious of a feeling within him of satis- 

 faction — something of wonder and surprise, together with confident hope 

 for the future of our district. In particular do we remark the excellence 

 of the fruit and vegetable exhibits, and as one strays amid the dazzling 

 splendor of the art department, and beholds the work that fair hands have 

 been doing in our midst, be he art connoisseur or simply wondering sight- 

 seer, his voice must join the chorus that on all sides is praising that beau- 

 tiful exhibition. 



On every side is demonstrated the active progress which the producers 

 of all classes — the agriculturist, horticulturist, viticulturist, stock raiser, 

 artist, and artisan — have been making within the past year. This progress 



