STATE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. 563 



DIVISION A-CATTLE. 



To the President and Executive Committee of the State Agricultural Society : 



The exhibition of cattle at the Fair of 1876 was large in numbers, far beyond the 

 accommodations provided by the Society, and many of the exhibitors are entitled to 

 much praise for the patience shown in waiting luitil suitable stalls were being pro- 

 vided for their use. 



The whole number of entries of cattle were 238, as follows: Shorthorns, 102, by 26 

 exhibitors from nine counties; Devons, 22; Herefords, 11: Jerseys, 6; Ayrshires, 8: 

 Galloways, 17; herds, 11 ; grade and native, H2; working cattle and steers, 16 : fat cat- 

 tle, 13. 



In equality the cattle were above the average of previous years, showing much im- 

 provement in the stock of the State. The number of exhibitors also is on the increase,, 

 many young breeders having entered the lists, and I cannot but feel that much credit 

 in this respect is due to the influence of this Society through its annual fairs. 



It may seem invidious to mention the herds of exhibitors individually. I must say, 

 however, that Messrs. Brooks, Uhl, Phelps Bros., Lessiter, and others are entitled to 

 credit for the fine display of useful qualities in class of Shorthorns shown by them, 

 while the Devons and Galloways of Mr. Hart, and the Ayrshires of Mr. Wilson of Ohio 

 were superior in quality. The herd of Herefords of Mr. Clark of Ohio wei'e first class^ 

 as may be proved by their taking the first prize as a herd ovei several first class herds 

 of Shorthorns. And here I would recommend that the list of premiums on herds be 

 amended so that only those of the same breed shall compete together, as the present 

 arrangement cannot give satisfaction to exliibitors, and no committee feel competent 

 to decide as to the merits of the difterent breeds when competing together for the 

 same prize. 



I would also recommend that in view of the great number of Shorthorns shown, and 

 the increasing interest in this breed in the State, that a fourth premium be added to 

 the list for this breed. 



It is to be regretted that the cattle from the Agricultural College farm were not 

 shown at the fair, since they have whenever exhibited added much to the interest of 

 the exhibition. 



I have to thank the several committees for their careful, painstaking, and in many 

 cases difficult examinations in the several classes, and am happj' to state that in gen- 

 eral their decisions received the unanimous approval of exhibitors and spectators. 



I think it would add much to the usefulness of the awards if all thoroughbred cattle- 

 were examined bj^ the scale of points adopted by competent authorities as adapted to 

 the several breeds. For list of awards I refer you to the reports of committees as 

 published by the Secretary. 



GEO. W. PHILLIPS, 

 Ejo-Superintendent of Cattle, State Fair 1876. 



DIVISION B-HORSES. 



To the President and Executive Committee of the State Agricultural Society: 



This is the first time that regular reports have been expected from the various 

 departments embraced in our State Fair. While all of us are engaged in one general 

 enterprise, our departments are separate and distinct from each otlier to a great ex- 

 tent. During the fair very little opportunity is afforded the various superintendents 

 for visiting each other; consequently they know but little about the fair outside of 

 their own duties. Hence we see the propriety of these reports. For the horse de- 

 partment we have but little to say. The new movement, or as it was termed by some 

 the cutting out of the speed department from our horse exhibition, led a few people 

 to say that our show of horses would be but a meager affair. However the superin- 

 tendents soon found that the people were with us. On visiting among breeders, and 

 occasionally calling upon horse owners, it was easy to discover a substantial friendly 

 feeling towards the State Agricultural Society. As preparations for the fair were 

 progressing, applications for room began to multiply, and before the fail opened a 

 large share of our stable room was engaged. We had on the ground 192 double and 

 161 single stalls, making a total of 353 stalls. About 65 or 70 of the stalls upon the 

 low ground in rear of the grand stand would be worthless except in very dry weather. 

 Many applications from the city of Jackson, for stables on the ground, were from nec- 

 essity declined. These applicants were very much surprised, as they supposed we 

 had more room than we could use. When the great demand for stalls became appa- 

 rent, they very kindly invited us to occupy all the spare room in their barns. This 

 invitation we availed ourselves of to some extent. 



