STATE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. 547 



OTSEGO. 



The annual show of the Otsego County Agricultural Society 

 was held at Cooperstown on the 8th and 9th of October. It was 

 the first time that the Society had occupied its new grounds with 

 a view to its permanent location in the county town ; and some 

 anxiety was felt as to the success of the experiment. Hitherto 

 the northern part of the county had been somewhat unmindful 

 of its true interests, and backward in keeping up that active 

 organization and earnest effort without which no agricultural 

 society can flourish or attain its proper growth and influence. On 

 this occasion, however, the people shook ofi" their long lethargy 

 and turned out in such numbers and with such a will, that the 

 result of the " new plan" was no longer doubtful. 



The grounds now occui:)ied by the Society consist of eight acres 

 surrounded by a substantial high board fence. In the center is 

 the building for exhibiting dairy products, domestic manufactures, 

 &c., &c., and two ranges of convenient cattle sheds divided into 

 stalls with an alley through the middle. There is a suitable 

 building at the gate for ticket and business offices, and a well- 

 graded track runs round the whole grounds, in the corners 

 between which and the fence, are the sheep and swine pens. An 

 abundant supply of running water is provided inside. The 

 arrangements for cattle, though deemed ample, were found quite 

 insufficient, and a greater amount of shedding is to be provided 

 another year. 



The two days of the exhibition were all that could be desired, 

 as regards weather, and the bright October sun shone ou the 

 largest concourse of people ever assembled at an agricultural show 

 in the county. The display of stock was very creditable, tliough 

 it was regretted that the southern part of the county was not 

 better represented. Mr. Lee, Mr. Roseboom, and others showed 

 some good Short-liorns, and Judge Bowne's Devons well repre- 

 sented tliat esteemed breed; whilst Mr. CLarke's large herd of 

 grade llerefords, almost made up for tlie absence of thorough- 

 breds in that class. This latter herd deserves especial notice, as 

 a proof of what judicious crossing with good thorough-bred bulls 

 will do in creating a stock of cattle, possessing nearly the uni- 

 formity and character of thorough-breds; more particularly, as 



