No. 5. DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 41 



AGRICULTURAL SOCIETIES 



It may be noted, that the County Fairs, in so far as reports have 

 been received, have generally had a successful year, with increased 

 attendance, added membership, applied for and received increased 

 funds from the State; also larger premiums paid for agricultural 

 products, and an increase in premiums oifered for the coming year. 



In the matter of expert judges, practically all the societies en- 

 gage no other. Games of chance and gambling have been elimi- 

 nated and the midway exhibition, where shows of doubtful propriety 

 have been in evidence, are rapidly disappearing and in their stead we 

 find high class arts exhibits, models of improved machinery, house- 

 hold utensils and agricultural demonstrations. Not only are the 

 larger fairs demonstrating the best agricultural methods and prac- 

 tices, but there has been organized within the last few years a num- 

 ber of societies that, in a local way, are accomplishing much for their 

 communities in the branch of animal industry; that is breeding of 

 better horses, sheep and swine. Among such societies could be 

 named, without reflecting upon the good accomplished by others, are 

 the Pen-Mar County Agricultural Association, Warren County Farm- 

 ers' and Breeders' Association and Hogestown Horse and Cattle 

 Show. These associations are quite local in their character and give 

 great encouragement to the average farmer in exhibiting bis stock 

 and developing in the various farm communities a rivalry in the 

 breed of thoroughbred stock of all kinds. 



The attendance for 1913 was 1,776,600, as compared with previous 

 year, 1,568,500, shows an increase of 208,100. Membership for 1914 

 is 16,069, compared with last year, 15,845, shows an increase of 724; 

 amount received from State fund, |45,8;:53.62, as against |38,563.22, 

 shows an increase of |12,270.40; amount paid in premiums, 1913, 

 1157,961.77, compared with .^134,377.74 in 1912, shows an increase of 

 123,584.03; amount offered in premiums, 1914, |192,099.00, as com- 

 pared with 1155,250.00 in 1913, shows an increase of |36,849.00. 



