126 



ROCK. 



Janesville, November 25, 1852. 



Dear Sir : — The Rock County Agricultural Society and Mechanics'" 

 Institute has been in operation for two years. The experiment of sus- 

 taining a County Agricultural Society in Rock county, has novr been 

 fairly tried, and its stability and perpetuity has become one of the fixed 

 facts in the public estimation, as it has succeeded beyond the expecta- 

 tions of its most sanguine friends. It has now reached a point from 

 which one need not apprehend a retrograde movement, or entertain any 

 fears as to its permanent existence. 



It is well known that our first Annual Cattle Show and Fair Avas held 

 in connection with the State Fair, at Janesville, in 1851. That was an 

 exhibition highly creditable alike to the farmers and mechanics of our 

 county and the State generally. From that time forward, until our last 

 Annual Fair, many not only attributed our apparent success to our con- 

 nection with the State Society at that time, but predicted a failure if we 

 should attempt to act as an independent Society within our own county. 

 But others, with an energy and perseverance worthy of the cause, deter- 

 mined to make an effort, and give a fair trial, at least, to so laudable an 

 imdertaking. Accordingly, arrangements were made for the Fair ; but 

 still the auspices seemed unfavorable, as it became necessary, for reasons 

 which it is not necessary to explain, to hold it at one extreme of the 

 county. This was not only inconvenient for many who wished to nttend, 

 but produced great dissatisfaction in other portions of the county. And 

 again, the time was injudiciously selected, the circuit court beinp' in ses- 

 sion at the time appointed for the Fair, which necessarily detained many 

 influential men as jurors, &c., on whom we had relied for countenance 

 and assistance. But notwithstanding these untoward circumstances, 

 which seemed to conspire against us, the result shows that we have 

 abundant cause for congratulation, and even pride ; for althouijli some 

 departments were not very fully represented, the exhibition was, on the 

 whole, of the most commendable character, and marked through c>ut by 

 ti spirit which augurs well for the future. And so great is our confi- 

 dence in the resources and indomitable energies of the farmers and me- 



O 



chanics of our county, that we throw down the gaimtlet to all County- 

 Societies of the kind in the great Northwest ; for we are determined not 

 to be beat in 1853. 



