FIFTH ANNUAL YEAR BOOK — PART VII. 647 



TREASURER'S REPORT. 



As treasurer of the society, we beg leave to report that it was impossible, 

 from the irregular manner in which the money was handed us, to make a 

 perfectly accurate return of the receipts. They amounted to not less than 

 one thousand dollars. After all the expenses and premiums are paid we 

 have a balance on hand of fifty dollars, not sufficient to pay the expenses of 

 the publishing committee, but the president will advance the balance. We 

 have besides (not counted in the above) about fifty dollars of counterfeit, or 

 otherwise worthless money. We have, therefore, no tangible means for the 

 progress of the next fair; but, trusting to the energy and enterprise of our 

 farmers and mechanics; trusting to the diligence of the committee to 

 memorialize our next legislature, and trusting to the zeal and industry of the 

 officers of the society, we promise abundant aid; and we insure to all a fair 

 in 1855 far superior in all respects to that which has just passed. 



J. M. Shaffer, 

 Treasurer, pro tern., Iowa State Agricultural Society. 



Fairfield, Iowa, November 14, 1854. 



The following is from the Iowa Farmer and Horticulturist , of October, 

 1854: 



FEMALE EQUESTRIANISM AT THE STATE FAIR. 



The following communication was intended for the September number of 

 the Iowa Farmer^ but was not received until that number was in the hands 

 of the binder. That it may obtain as early and extensive publicity as pos- 

 sible, we publish it in the newspapers of this city, with the request that 

 other papers in the State, friendly to the aims of the society, will publish it. 



For a perfect understanding of the reasons that have drawn forth this 

 liberal premium from Colonel Claggett, it is proper to say that a young lady 

 of this vicinity, who is both a reader and contributor to the Farmer, 

 inquired in the August number how it happened that whilst premiums were 

 awarded by the State societies in Indiana, Ohio, and elsewhere, for the best 

 female horsemanship, none were offered to be given in this State. Colonel 

 Claggett assigns the reason why it was not done by the State society, and 

 very liberally takes the burden off their hands. His generosity and public 

 spirit can not be too highly commended. 



We hear of young ladies who are already putting them and their horses in 

 training for the contest.— Fditors Iowa Farmer. 



Keokuk, Iowa, August 29, 1854. 

 Editors of the Iowa Farmer: 



Gentlemen. — I perceive by the last Farmer that some of your corres- 

 pondents are complaining that no premium has been offered (in list of pre- 

 miums to be awarded at the State fair) for the best plow. You are right in 

 supposing it to be an inadvertent omission. The officers of the society, in 

 making out the list, were very anxious to do full justice to every depart- 

 ment connected with the object of the society. But it was impossible to 



