eepOets feom cou:n^ty societies. 



499 



This iudustiy is not being crowded, the pressure of the times tending to a 

 small margin on the production of wool. 



Our Sioine are the best since the organization of the county. The standard 

 improved breeds are the rule. Farmers of course differ as to profit between 

 breeds, but so long as they work on good foundations there is little danger of 

 their going far astray. 



Oii7' Poultry Interests, wdiich but a few years since were not deemed ATorthy 

 the notice of a farmer, has assumed with us magnificent proportions, filling a 

 niche in the pocket for pin-money to the wife and daughters, greater than the 

 dairy products of the county. In no branch of industry has improvement been 

 greater or more radical in profit than in poultry-raising. 



Our Meclianical Interests are not in as prosperous condition as we Avould be 

 pleased to report. The crisis of 1873, witli the unsettling of values in its wake, 

 found its victims in this as in every other county in the land. Nearly a half 

 million dollars' worth of machinery is to-day lying idle in the county for want 

 of capital and confidence to keep it in motion. 



Our annual fair was held Sept. 28 to Oct. 1st, inclusive. The weather was 

 favorable, and as a Avhole it was probably the most profitable and instructive 

 fair ever held by the society. 



The following exhibit shows the number of entries in each dejoartment, with 

 the number of awards therein and amount of premiums paid : 



Cattle — Thoroughbreds 



Grades 



Horses 



Sheep — Fine-wools, pens 



<Vombing wools, pens . . 



Swine — Pens 



Poultry — Coops '. . 



Mechanics Hall 



Agricultural Hall 



Floral Hall — Domestics 



Xeedle-work 



Paintings 



]*fatural Flowers. 



Pomological Hall 



Total 



Amoimt. 



$147 00 

 95 CO 



57G 00 

 60 00 

 48 00 

 85 50 

 G2 00 



251 00 



140 00 

 24 75 

 G3 00 

 80 00 

 65 00 



150 00 



$1,847 



Our net receipts were $4,858 43, with $262 13 in the treasury at the com- 

 mencement of the year. Our disbursements have been as follows : 



For premiums of 1874 and 1875 to January 1st $1,810 69 



bonds and interest paid 1, 243 89 



. improvements and repairs 725 00 



Secretary' s and Treasurer' s salaries 325 00 



printing 168 80 



general expenses of fair. . - 599 60 



14,872 98 



