No. 7. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 65 



AGRICULTURAL, SOCIETIES. 



The County Agricultural Societies are rapidly taking their place 

 in advancing the interest of agriculture throughout the State, since 

 year by year greater prominence and more encouragement is given 

 to strictly agricultural exhibits. Expert judges are engaged to 

 pass upon the merits of the various products. In many instances 

 these judges demonstrate to the people assembled the points of 

 merit possessed by the animal or product to which the award was 

 given. 



The attendance for 1907 was 1,190,296, as compared with previous 

 year, 1,829,389, shows a decrease of 639,093, total membership 

 10,745, membership fees |1,069.00; amount paid in premiums fl30,- 

 160.05, previous year |99,603.82, an increase |30,556.23; amount offer- 

 ed in premiums 1908, $174,350.00, previous year |159, 145.00, increase 

 of $15,205.00. . I .; 



5—7—1908. 



