646 IOWA DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. 



Subsequently, Miss Marie Minton, of Van Buren county, and Misses H. 

 and Cynthia Ball, of JefiFerson, competed for the prize. 



The order of riding was as follows: A lady to ride once around the circle 

 with a cavalier at her side, the second time the cavalier to ride around at 

 some distance from the ring, then the lady four times around. Each lady 

 was known by a ribbon of particular color. During the exercise the most 

 perfect order was preserved by the entire assembly The ladies acquitted 

 themselves most honorably. After each lady had completed the exercise, 

 all were called in front of the stand. General Morgan, chairman of the com- 

 mittee, then addressed them in the following language: 



Ladies — It affords me pleasure to express to you assurances of the unquali- 

 fied admiration of the committee, and of the entire association, for the 

 elegant and triumphant manner in which you have each and all acquitted 

 yourselves on this occasion. Your performances, while novel in character, 

 have been eminently gratifying to the thousands whose good fortune it 

 has been to witness them, performances which we shall all remember, as 

 among the most pleasing reminiscences of the past, and to which you may 

 ever recur with feeings of just pride. You have, by your courage and skill, 

 added a new and brilliant wreath to the brow of beauty which already adorns 

 our State, and at the same time won for yourselves a most honorable dis- 

 tinction and a most enviable applause. Where there is so much to challenge 

 admiration it is, of course, difficult to decide. The committee, in the deli- 

 cate duty assigne'd them, feel the full force of this embarrassment. You 

 have had your trial, ladies; ours is about to commence. Congratulating you 

 once more on the beauty and excellence of your achievements, we beg you 

 to be assured that we shall seek through the utmost impartiality to arrive at 

 a proper judgment. 



The whole troop then rode slowly around the circle during the decision of 

 the committee. All were again brought to the stand and the prize awarded 

 to Miss Belle Turner, of Lee county. Colonel Claggett, with his usual 

 liberality, then presented each lady with a gold ring. This done the society 

 convened at the stand. The list of premiums was then read, and the pre- 

 mium money paid out. Thus ended our first State fair, and a glorious fair 

 it was, alike gratifying to all who witnessed it. 



Some may be disposed to complain at the delay with which our report 

 has been published; but, when it is considered that each manuscript had to 

 be carefully examined, each entry page compared with the several reports, 

 all the awarded diplomas to be separately written and prepared, and the 

 whole to be transcribed, and also that the entire duties of treasurer devolved 

 upon the present secretary, no one will think hard of us, but will accept our 

 apology. By order 



J. M. Shaffer, 

 Recording Secretary, State Agricultural Society, 



Fairfield, Iowa. 



