No. 112.1 375 



as last year, though considering the unusual attractions at a 

 neighboring ^-race course," which were continued during the 

 whole of the two days, the attendance at the fair grounds was 

 fully equal to any reasonable expectations. The location of 

 a race course in the immediate vicinity of our fair grounds, 

 is an exceedingly unfortunate circumstance. Aside from its 

 deleterious influence on the public morals, its effect upon the 

 interests of the Agricultural society has been found decidedly 

 injurious. 



The proprietors of the race grounds, and others Interested in 

 it, will not permit so favorable an occasion as that of an agricul- 

 tural fair to pass unimproved ; and every year, after the hand- 

 bills of the fair are posted, and after it is too late for the time of 

 holding it to be changed, or for the Agricultural society to dis- 

 abuse the public mind of the impression that it is connected with 

 and interested in the success of the ^' races," flaming bills an- 

 nouncing them as appointed to come off " in connection with 

 THE fair," are distributed. The effiect is that a large and influ- 

 ent'al portion of the farmers and citizens of this county, embrac- 

 ing all those who disapprove of public horse racing j on acconntof 

 its immoral tendencies, and who are not advised of the true state 

 of the facts, either stay away, or come only to attend as idle spec- 

 tators. 



It is not to be denied, that while many who would otherwise 

 take a conspicuous part in the celebration of our fairs, are thus re- 

 strained by motives of principle from participating in them, others 

 of an oj)positc character may be drawn together in greater num- 

 bers, a cii'Cimistance wliich has been urged as an argument in fa- 

 vor of the races ; Ijut tliree or four years- experience lias tailed 

 to prove to us the justness of tlie claim. Few persons who have 

 60 ftttle regard fur the legitimate (objects and purposes of an ag- 

 ricultural fair, that the attractions of a public race becoiiie ne- 

 cessary as a bait to allure them to the neighborhood, are likely 

 cither to be much beneliled themselves, or to .benefit others, by 

 their attendance. On the contrary, we have found that for every 

 visitor who has been drawn to any of our fairs by means of the 



