560 ANNUAL REPORT OF NEW- YORK 



take pride in raising stock, to greater care and exertion in secu- 

 ring the very best breeds that can anywhere be obtained. 



Besides, the fairs have given a stimulus to gentlemen of means 

 to import specimens of the best breeds, so that at the last fair, 

 there was a very creditable display of stock animals, either of 

 pure blood or very high grades. 



For some years past the culture of wheat has not been success- 

 ful in this county, and therefore other kinds of grain have 

 received the attention of farmers, who are now turning their 

 attention to the raising of cattle, horses and sheep, and also to the 

 business of dairying; the last of which employments, owing to 

 the fine pastures which the valley of the Susquehanna supplies, 

 and to the facilities which the New- York and Erie Railroad affords, 

 is yearly becoming more and more remunerative to all engaged 

 in it. 



The number of cattle in this county, in proportion to the num- 

 ber of its inhabitants, at least equals that of any other in the 

 State; and at the last fair a large number of fine specimens were 

 exhibited, of Durhams, Ayrshires, and Devons. 



The annual fair was held on grounds procured for the occasion, 

 in Owego, on the 24th and 25th of September last. The weather 

 was excellent, and the attendance from all parts of the county 

 was on both days, especially the last, very large. Owing to the 

 fact that the grounds were not specially enclosed, and that no 

 admission fees were charged, the Society was not able to offer as 

 large a list of premiums as it otherwise might have done. Eut 

 the Society at its business meeting, on the last day of the fair, 

 passed the following resolution. 



" Resolved, That the officers and members of this Society will 

 use their best endeavors to secure, by lease or purchase, a sufli- 

 cient lot of ground for the purpose of holding our annual county 

 fairs, and for other similar purposes, and that said lot shall be so 

 fenced, and fitted with proper buildings, that stock and horse 

 fairs can be held therein whenever convenient." 



The following are the officers elected for the ensuing year, 

 on Sept. the 24th ult. : 



President, Louis P. Legg, and three Vice-Presidents; Secretary, 

 W. Smyth; Treasurer, T. I. Chatfield, two Directors and ten 

 Assistants. 



