538 



ANNUAL REPORT OF NEW- YORK 



By arrangement the various prize cattle, horses, &;c. were 

 exhibited in the center of the amphitheater, as their awards were 

 announced; while the surrounding benches, rising one above 

 another, crowded with the well-dressed and orderly families of 

 the farmer citizen — thus enabled to witness a show of rare excel- 

 lence and attraction, in a way perfectly safe, and without the 

 fatigue and exposure usually attendant upon such display, wa? 

 an ample reward for the exertions of the society. 



The third day was mostly devoted to a new feature in oui 

 county, being a sweepstakes exhibition for premiums of a con- 

 siderable amount, open for all competitors. The result was most 

 satisfactory. Early in the day the grounds were filled, and by 

 noon not less than fifteen thousand people were present. The 

 amphitheater was crowded to its utmost capacity, and its large 

 circumference was overloaded; not less than four thousand people 

 found seats, and half as many more were standing on every spot 

 offering a foothold. At one hour the circle would contain the 

 horned cattle drawn from far and near, their sleek and well- 

 trimmed proportions offering fair points for admiration. Then 

 the robust bulls, their whole beaiing indicating all that is 

 so peculiarly characteristic of strength and ferocity, subdued 

 by the intellect of man, stood awaiting the awards of the 

 judges; and it required no great stretch of imagination to 

 carry the mind to stories of Spain and her national pas- 

 time. And when they gave place to the various classes of 

 horses, the fierce prancing stud, as well as the gay roadster, the 

 mind could as readily recall the equestrian traditions of Rome. 



To shew that the enterprise of the Society has been productive, 

 it is only necessary to add, that the receipts for 



1855 were, __ $2,355 20 



1856, " _. 7,780 47 



Increase, _ $5,425 27 



At the close of the display of cattle. Professor Mapes of New 

 Jersey, delivered a short and appropriate address on topics con- 

 nected with the progress of agriculture, but the crowd was too 

 large for the mass to hear, and but a few hundred who congre- 

 gated immediately about the platform could derive any advantage. 

 Such as were happy to obtain places within reach of the voice 



