PROCEEDINGS. 



57 



The success of the last State Fair surprised those not aware of the inside woric 

 to accomplish such result. The business of the office the past year has required 

 about 2,500 letters, 1,500 postal cards, 10,000 premium lists and 5,000 circulars. 

 The State Fair advertising required 4,000 mounted lithograph posters, 1,000 double 

 sheet lithographs, 1,000 3-sheet printed posters, 5,000 single sheet and 10,000 half- 

 sheet posters, with more or less advertisements in every newspaper in the State. 

 Hence, after due inquiry, we can safely assert we lead all other State Fairs in the 

 matter of advertising. 



The State Fair occurring, as it did, near the close aud in the hottest of the 

 presidential campaign, with four days of incessant rain at the opening, not showers, 

 but floods, such as were never known at the time of an Indiana State Fair, and which 

 were preceded by a serious drought of many weeks in a large portion of the State, 

 and the great scare at the opening of the fair, caused by the prevalence of pleuro- 

 pneumonia among cattle, which kept several exhibitors away after they had en- 

 gaged stalls. Considering these drawbacks and discouraging features, it was simply 

 marvelous to see such a complete success in every department of the fair, as will 

 no doubt be reported by the Department Superintendents. 



Our worthy President has referred to so much that relates to the workings of 

 the Bftard that I will avoid any repetition. 



It is a satisfaction to know and report to you that there has not been a case of 

 litigation with the aflfairs of the Board for two years past, and not a case of pro- 

 test on file, as is usual at the annual meeting. 



Statement of Comparative Entries. 



Note.— No entries in the Mechanical Department are included in the above, as there 

 were no premiums offered of late years in that department. It was estimated that about 

 twenty-five hundred articles were exhibited by five hundred exhibitors. 



Thus is shown that the State Fairs have steadily increased the last five years 

 and 935 more entries at the last fair than any one preceding, 610 of which were of 

 lire stock. 



