^0.11.2.] 391 



sufficiently attiactiyo to render the ntmost advantages io the 

 farming interest of Dutchess couniy, instead of being obliged, as 

 heretofore, to advertise a beggarly premium list, of which every 

 member of the society was ashamed, and which oifered no incen- 

 tives to competition or iraprovemtnt. It must not be supposed 

 that this consummation has been effected without some exertion 

 on tliC part ol those who have been entrusted with the interests 

 of the society. Indeed when it is known that not one farthing is 

 paid to a single otiicer of the society, all of whom " work for 

 nothing and find themselves," it is pretty good evidence that the 

 spirit of enterprise is not entirely . dormant in old Dutchess. 

 When it is also known that these structures have not been put up 

 by the citizens of any populous city or village in the expectation 

 of reaping cent per cent upon the investment, some of the diffi- 

 cnlties can be realised, and the spirit of that enterprise properly 

 appreciated. 



Another evidence of improvement, which is by no means of 

 Rmall importance to county societies, and to which may be attri- 

 buted much of our success, is the observance of more order and 

 system in the business arrangements of the society, which has 

 been rendered partially necessary from the increased amount of 

 business done by tiiC society ; and as a c<)nsequence, the labor has 

 been diminished, and much better satisfaction given the public ; 

 and though there is yet much room for improvement in this res- 

 pect, we feel that we have been so much benefited by our short 

 experience, that it is a duty to recommend its adoption to those 

 of our sister soolcties, if there are any who have not yet tried it. 



The annual fair and cattle show was held on the show ground 

 of the society at "VVashi/igton Hollow, on the 5lh and Gth days of 

 October, 1853 j and although the fairs of the societies in the 

 neigliboring counties were held during the same week,\\h:ch con- 

 siderably interfered, the attendance was so large, that the accom- 

 modations, large and commodious as they were, were found inade- 

 fpiate to tlie^advantageous display of all tlie articles, and allbrd 

 gulTicitnt room fur tlie thrt^Dgs of visitors in Fioral hall. The 

 exhibition in the hall was certainly very creditable to the farmers 

 of the county 3 the vegetables, grains, fruit and flowers were not 



