274 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. [Pub. Doc. 



and was very soon in the front rank among agricultural 

 societies, on account of its success. It was about this time 

 that offices were established in certain localities for the pur- 

 pose of furnishing amusements for agricultm-al societies, 

 and parties were brought from different parts of the country 

 for that purpose. Competition arose in this department, 

 prices advanced, and the success of some of the societies 

 was such that large prices were offered these parties. 



About this time parties interested in the horse department 

 began to make regular circuits during these fairs, and the 

 cry was, that if these societies wished to prosper and suc- 

 ceed they must increase their appropriations for horse 

 trotting, have better horses, more attractions to increase 

 the attendance. The Weymouth Society, then outside the 

 State Board, increased its purses for horse trotting, also 

 added more attractions, and the result was, these two 

 departments absorbed the whole receipts. The society soon 

 found itself nearly $6,000 in debt, with nothing to pay its 

 premiums, Avhich were the first to suffer from the increase 

 in the expenses in these two departments. 



Not long since I received a marked paper, with an article 

 headed " Bets at fairs," making a general accusation, unfa- 

 vorable to the agricultural societies of the State, in regard to 

 horse trotting and pool selling, saying, ' ' The situation 

 seems to have reached a point where the people of common 

 decency in the towns ought to bestir themselves." I know 

 not who wrote this article, but if the individual knew of 

 any society or societies that were guilty of this offence, and 

 Avas interested in the welfare of these societies, Avhat was 

 his duty in this matter? The statutes provide a remedy in 

 these cases. Follow the statutes ; let us know where the 

 trouble is ; show up societies that are guilty of this offence, 

 that is so objectionable to common decency, as they should 

 be shown up. If the individual did not know of any society 

 or societies guilty of these illegal measures, and has made 

 these sweeping allegations, published in a journal of repu- 

 tation, circulated broadcast over the country, it indicates a 

 maliciousness such as I have not witnessed since becoming 

 a member of this Board, including, among the rest, my own 



