84G TRANSACTIONS OF THE STATE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



Fruits that would tempt the gods, and in such variety as to reflect great 

 credit, at least upon the principal exhibitor. While the agricultural, 

 horticultural and pomological departments are assigned their place, we 

 are pleased to notice also that the mechanical department puts in a claim 

 for our consideration, and last but not least, we have to thank the ladies 

 for the very creditable effort they have made in their department, and 

 which has added so much to the success of our exhibition, and the lady 

 who sent us the first products of silk culture in our county is entitled 

 to honorable distinction. 



But while I am thus pleased with the effort that has been made, for 

 I see, in what we have thus done, an earnest of what we can yet do 

 to make our fair more interesting and attractive, let us inquire if we, 

 as a society formed for the promotion and advancement of agriculture 

 and mechanics, are on the high road to success, and if we are realizing 

 the advantages which united action would warrant us to expect. Let 

 us seriously inquire if we are not drifting away from the original aims 

 and purposes of this organization, and converting it into an institution 

 whose principal feature is horse racing? Shall we make the trials of 

 speed of our fine horses an incidental affair in connection with and sub- 

 servient to the greater and more laudable objects of this society, or shall 

 racing be the neplus ultra, the highest standard we expect to reach? It 

 seems to me, and it must be apparent to all, that there is necessity for a 

 radical change. But how are we to make this change ? I see but one 

 way, and that is to get up a larger interest. We want more farmers and 

 mechanics to become members of our society. With five hundred mem- 

 bers we could raise funds sufficient to insure good premiums, and wo 

 should be enabled to have a variety of exercises that would be enter- 

 taining au<l instructive. With a more general interest, lecturers could 

 be obtained during our fair week, and each evening could be spent profit- 

 ably to all. It is said that he who makes two blades of grass to grow 

 where but one grew before, is a benefactor of his race! How much 

 more, then, is he a benefactor of his race who can add a thought or sug- 

 gestion that shall be the means of ameliorating or ennobling the mind or 

 condition of man ? In this age, so prolific of mighty achievements, we 

 see that man, possessed of God-like attributes, is never satisfied to remain 

 quiet until the whole domain of nature has been explored and all her 

 vast and hidden resources have been utilized and made subservient to 

 his will. Man has hardly reached the threshold of science and mechanics, 

 and the next fifty } T ears will, in all human probability, be as prolific of 

 inventions and advancement as the past fifty have been. How bright 

 and glorious then is the future before us! Let us see to it, then, that we 

 keep pace with the march of advancement and that we are not left 

 behind in the race. 



