48 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



vented some exhibitors from attending the State Fair, and some that had engaged 

 stalls, annulled the contract. A meeting of the Executive Committee was called 

 and decided to secure the services of two Veterinary Surgeons to guard against any 

 diseased animals entering the Fair Ground. This proved to be very satisfactory, 

 and not only every stall was occupied, but additional quarters had to be provided- 



At the close of the fair of 1883, some dissatisfaction was manifested by several 

 of the agricultural implement men, which was alluded to in my last annual ad- 

 dress, but I am now happy to say that all discontent among that class of exhibitors 

 has disappeared, and the best of feeling prevail.*, as evidenced by their grand ex- 

 hibit and hearty co-operation at the last State Fair. Many of the manufacturers 

 have erected beautiful building for their exhibits, and others are making arrange- 

 ments to build, which adds much to the comfort of that class of exhibitors, and 

 also a saving to the Board. 



The live stock exhibit was far in advance of any former year, and to accommo- 

 date all the exhibitors a large number of additional stalls and pens were built 

 after the fair had opened. The imprsvement of live stock is very evident and the 

 exhibitor of to-day has to be an expert in preparing his stock for exhibition to be 

 .successful in the show ring. 



The system of expfert judging, adopted by the Board can not be said to have 

 gi^en entire satisfaction, yet as an experiment it was worthy of a trial, but where 

 there is no standard of excellence to be relied upon, I have doubts as to the expert 

 system being the best, although it has many advocates among fair managers. The 

 new system of committees on awards as adopted by many of the leading fairs of 

 the West will probably be generally adopted ; where it has been tried, it gives 

 good satisfaction. The new system provides that three competent judges Tje se- 

 lected, two to act, in case the two .so acting do not agree, the third man then comes 

 in the ring and places his vote with one or the other of the two, his vote being 

 strictly confined to the two animals, or articles voted for, by his two associates. In 

 my judgment the umpire ought to be the best of the three judges. 



Our ticket system last year gave better satisfaction than heretofore, yet further 

 improvement might be made, and I would earnestly recommend that ticket sellers 

 and ticket takers at the gates be abolished, as far as possible, and turn stiles adopt- 

 ed instead, by so doing much expense would be saved, which would in one or two 

 years be equal to the price of the turn stiles. Where complimentaries, carriage 

 and other pass tickets are taken, gate-keepers will be necessary. Yet it is great 

 wisdom in the management of fairs to have just as few pass tickets out as possible. 



FAT STOCK SHO\\'. 



As the year rolls by and the great live stock exhibitions At Chicago of prime 

 fatted cattle of all the various breeds increase, the importance of this State at- 

 tempting a fat stock show is more forcibly brought to view. The large cities all 

 around us are spending millions to help exposition and fair managers to establish 

 all kinds of exhibits, thereby bringing into public notice the capabilities and facili- 

 ties for producing and handling the product of the different sections of the coun- 



