STATE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. 319 



success of the annual exhibition (which we have come here to celebrate) 

 and share equally with us in the beneficent results sure to flow from the 

 exchange of happy greetings and peaceful rivalry. With these views 

 and objects, it was but fair to give the citizens of other counties equal 

 rights and representation. To this end it became necessary to reorganize 

 and merge into a district organization, under the name of the " Upper 

 Sacramento Agricultural Society," embracing the Counties of Butte, 

 Colusa, Tehama, Shasta, Plumas and Lassen, and such others as may 

 unite with us in the future. This accomplished, an appeal was made for 

 means to erect a structure which should be of ample proportions to 

 answer the present and prospective wants of the society; a building 

 which could be so far advanced, with the means we might reasonably 

 expect, as to answer the purposes of the present fair; one that could, 

 when the financial condition of the society should permit, be appropri- 

 ately finished. 



A firm brick foundation, three feet high — eighty by ninety-six feet — 

 with two cross walls was laid, and a substantial frame erected thereon. 

 The outside boarding, though substantial, is temporary; but the floor 

 and roof may be considered good and permanent. But further 

 description is unnecessary. Without drawing somewhat upon your 

 imaginations you may not be able to form a proper conception of this 

 now unfinished edifice when it shall have been completed. But draw 

 upon your fancy as you may — picture to yourselves this temple of 

 industry, surmounted with cupola or dome, embowered amidst stately 

 trees; this vast aisle and transept arched and groined, and these walls 

 decorated with mottoes and allegorical frescoes — all these things and 

 more are within the possibilities of the near future, if the people will 

 that they shall be done, and furnish the means. Industry, and rivalry 

 and development — these will secure all that we need, and satisfy our 

 fondest hopes. In attempting to make these allusions — this sort of 

 general and imperfect report of the doings of this society, let me say, 

 the work itself is the best witness as to what we have done. Whether 

 or not it meets with the intelligent expectation of those who have a right 

 to call us to account, T can conscientiously say it is all we have been 

 able to do. We present it to you as the result of your willing contribu- 

 tions, and trust that you will find in it something worthy of your appro- 

 bation. We are here to exchange kindly greetings, and celebrate our 

 annual jubilee ; and we have reason to rejoice and return thanks to a 

 gracious Providence, who has crowned the land with abundant harvests, 

 and filled our hearts with gladness. We are here, my friends, in the 

 interest of labor, of harmony and good will, and of all that makes us a 

 prosperous and progressive people, to dedicate this hall to agriculture. 

 It rose at your command ; it is filled with the products of your industry. 

 Accept it at our hands, and make this occasion one of sincere rejoicing. 

 And more than that — make it a season of profit as well as pleasure, that 

 all may be able to say, when they shall return to their homes, that it 

 was good to have been here; that they feel encouraged, and their 

 ambition aroused, to excel in their various callings. It is an auspicious 

 indication to see the growing interest felt in these annual exhibitions. 

 It is in your power to make them occasions not only of happy reunions, 

 but of lasting benefit to all; and it is hard to imagine how any can 

 return from here without feeling amply recompensed. If, however, 

 there is a son of Adam so buried in avarice, so fascinated with the 

 bubbles and frivolities of idleness — in a word, so lost to the finer sensi- 

 bilities of his nature, as not to feel the kindling power of emulation — his 



