ANNUAL REPORT OF THE Off. Doc. 



AGRICULTURAL SOCIETIES. 



Tabulaied ic'i>ui-t,is from the various local agricultural societies 

 reiuforccs my recommeudatious last year, as to the importance of 

 encouraging none but expert jiulges to pass upon the merits of all 

 competing articles, as more .than two-thirds of the societies hare 

 adopted this practice. The attendance last 3'ear was not so great 

 as in previous year, 911,074 being in attendance, as compared with 

 1,024,250 in 1001. Collection of membership fees, however, shows 

 a marked increase — |7,S72 — as compared v/itb |2,2!)7.10 in 1901. 

 raid in premiums, |91,261.06, as compared with |113,347.93, in 

 1901. The falling off in attendance was no doubt a result of 

 v)-)ient wind and rain storms which prevailed in the months of Sep- 

 tember and October; so furious were these storms in some instances 

 as to drive the people from the grounds. This was especially true 

 whilst the fair was in progress at iSazareth, Northampton county, 

 where the exhibits were in every line large and of special merit. 



Too much emphasis cannot l)e placed upon the importance of the 

 active farmers of Pennsylvania taking charge of these agricultural 

 exhibits, and so controlling them as to eliminate therefrom all ex- 

 hibits and shows of immoral and doubtful propriety, thus by exer- 

 cising proper attention, care and discretion, these fairs will be- 

 come real object lessons, living and vital examples showing forth 

 the best features of agricultural advancement in its various de- 

 partments. The appended list will show in detail the corporate 

 name of each society, address of president and secretary, also date 

 and place where fairs were held during 1903: 



