STATE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. 537 



and as that date closed the working year of the society I submit 

 the following report of operations. 



Early in the spring of 1856 strenuous exertions were made to 

 provide funds for the construction of a covered amphitheater for the 

 use of the society. By thorough canvass of the county, a sufficient, 

 number of Life Members were obtained to justify the building 

 committee in proceeding with the work. Proposals were there- 

 upon issued for contracts to erect the same, and contracts were 

 entered into for the work. Ground was broken in the month 

 of May; the mason work was finished by the middle of June, 

 when the carpenters commenced their part of the contract, 

 and early in September they gave the society possession of 

 the building. The amphitheater is 660 feet in circumference, 

 and 210 feet in diameter, and 32 feet high. It has an exhi- 

 bition room on the lower floor 640 feet by 20 feet wide, has 

 in addition on second floor, 900 feet of tables, three feet wide, 

 with an open circle in center of the building 150 feet in diameter. 



For the information of those who contemplate a like structure, 

 these iten\s are given, with the assurance that so far as Ontario 

 county has experimented the thing has been an entire success, 

 and it is hoped that the enjoyment and pleasure we have derived 

 may by its example induce others to do likewise. 



The exhibition days of last fall were gala days of rare and 

 unusual enjoyment, and never has there been an occasion when 

 the county gave itself more entirely up to the pleasure of this 

 farmer's festival. The three days were of unusual autumnal 

 beauty, and the throngs on the ground, seemed as much gratified 

 by the agricultural treat so pleasantly and so systematically 

 provided. 



The show of blooded cattle was brilliant, exceeding any tiling 

 ever before witnessed at a county exhibition. The dis})Iay of 

 horses, in all grades and classes was very large, and wurtli many 

 miles of journey to see. While numerous and well-lillrd j>ensof 

 sheep and swine, with tables loaded with vegetal^lcs, and pn^lue- 

 tionsof the garden and orchard, gave some token tliat our l";irnu*rs 

 liad put their hearts in the work; the women of the county also 

 by their contributions of needle work, and houseliold products, 

 added their full share to the attractions of the scene. 



