FOURTH ANNUAL YEAR BOOK — PART XII. 715 



The society's grounds are very pleasantly situated and well equipped, 

 being well piped, with hydrants from a spring on the grounds, and lighted 

 with electric lights from the city plant. The fruit exhibit was the best 

 ever had in the history of the association, and there was a fine field of 

 trotting and pacing horses. The fact that we always offer large purses, 

 pay every winner in gold at the wire, have the very best accommoda- 

 tions, and a track second to no half mile track in the State, brings all 

 the good ones each year, and we find that good racing, in addition to 

 the good agricultural exhibit, brings large crowds and pleases the people. 



Horses: The farmers are taking more interest in the raising of 

 horses and improving their stock, and there are some pure bred draft 

 sires being brought into this county, the Percheron being preferred, as 

 they sell at one or two years younger than some of the other draft 

 breeds. Some very good trotting stock is bred, but not so much interest 

 is taken as in the breeding of the heavier stock. There is no disease 

 among horses, but barbed wire has ruined many of our promising colts. 



Cattle: Considerable interest is being taken in the breeding of 

 thoroughbreds, and at our annual fair an improvement was quite notice- 

 able. The Holsteins and Jerseys have few friends, Shorthorn, Angus 

 and Herefords being preferred. Beef cattle are commanding a fair price, 

 and cows for dairy purposes are selling at from $25 to $35. Principal 

 market, Chicago. Cattle are generally healthy in this locality. 



Sheep: This industry is being revived, and numerous small flocks 

 can be seen. T,he Shropshires are preferred, and are selling at good 

 prices and generally healthy. 



Swine: The Poland China is probably the leader, although a few 

 fine herds of Berkshires and Dui*oc Jerseys are to be seen. The pig crop 

 was up to the average, and all the available space in the swine depart- 

 ment at the fair was filled with good specimens of all breeds. No dis- 

 ease is reported among hogs in this locality. 



SHELBY COUNTY. 



W. E. Cooper. 



Fair held at Harlan, September 15, 16, 17 and 18, 1903. 



Owing to the excessive rainfall on Tuesday, September 14th, and the 

 threatening weather the following day, prevented this from being the 

 most successful fair held by our association. 



The exhibits of fine stock excelled our usual good display, and the 

 attendance, considering the weather, was all that could be desired. 



The problem that confronts our association, — and presumably oth- 

 ers, — is, how to secure gdod horses and plenty of them for the speed 

 ring. While our showing in that line was not such as we desired to 

 have, it was as good as our adjoining associations. 



Our display of agricultural products was better than any previous 

 year, as was the display in the floral hall. Wq feel that our people are 

 becoming more interested in the ''County Fair" each succeeding year. 



