12 [Senate 



glass cases, for the protection and security of the more delicate spe- 

 cimens. 



The third building, designated as " Mechanics^ Hall,^^ was devoted 

 to the exhibition of cooking stoves, v^rashing machines, churns, 

 cheesepresses, and various' other machines, and articles of domestic 

 convenience. 



The fourth, known as " Farmers' Hall" contained an extensive 

 collection of many farm productions, as chesse, sugar, butter, flour 

 and various farm implements and machines. 



The 16th day of September, the day next previous to the opening 

 of the graunds for general exhibition, was closely occupied in arrang- 

 ing the multitude of articles intended for exhibition, in their appro^ 

 priate places ; and it was on this day that the trial of plows took place 

 on grounds selected for the occasion, about two miles south of the 

 city. The strength of draught was tested by the dynamometer, by 

 means of a windlass as a moving power, and by the direct application 

 of a team of horses. Although by the slower motion of the windlass 

 the work could be more easily and leisurely inspected, yet too much 

 time was required for the operation ; besides which the variations in 

 depth and in tenacity of soil, which must always exist, did not so 

 well enable the observer to judge of the average pressure exerted, as 

 when these variations were presented in more rapid succession, by 

 the use of the team, and the vibrations of the index, were thus ex- 

 hibited nearly at the same moment to the eye. A very fine collection 

 of plows were offered for premiums, and a gradual improvement in 

 this most important farm implement, has been visible at each succes- 

 sive fair of the society. 



On the 17th, the first day of the fair, for the public at large, it was 

 at once evident that the extraordinary interest which, for years 

 past, had attended our annual exhibitions, had not in the least sub- 

 sided, a larger number of persons being in attendance at Utica, than 

 at any previous fair. The number was estimated at not less than 

 forty thousand, and included visitors from more than half the States 

 in the Union. The receipts of the fair were $4,370.18, being $700 

 more than was received at any previous exhibition. 



The number of animals, and of the different articles of farm and 

 garden production, and of domestic manufacture, brought in from the 

 different parts of the State, were on the whole, greater than in any 

 preceding year. The whole number of animals vras 683, of which 



