60 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



REPORT OF GENERAL SUPERINTENDENT. 



Mr. President and Membezsofthe Indiana State Board of Agriculture. ■ 



I would respectfully report that the business under my charge for the past year 

 has been reasonably successful, and that the grounds and buildings are generally 

 in good condition. In obedience to the orders of the Board, the lower floor of the 

 main building has been thoroughly repaired, by renewing the floor where found 

 necessary, and placing new joists between the old ones, over nearly the entire floor. 

 New timbers were placed on the sides of the post« supporting the upper floor and 

 roof, to add to their strength. 



On account of the arrangement to receive ©ur supply of water, from the City 

 Water Works for the buildings and grounds, it became necessary to make an entire 

 change in the arrangement of the water pipes in the buildings which w:is done, 

 the old pipes being used as far as found in proper condition and size, and new 

 when found necessary. Lines of pipe were also laid through the grounds for the 

 purpose of supplying engines, etc. This work was all done after consultation with 

 Mr. Seward, Superintendent of Machinery, as to proper plans, etc., and much of it 

 under his direct supervision. This improvement has been found a good one, and 

 I have no doubt it will, in the end, be found a great saving in expense, besides a 

 great protection in cat^e of fire, both during fairs and at all times. I would say in 

 this connection, that two hundred feet of first class rubber hose has been purchased 

 for use in case of fire, one hundred feet for each floor, which are kept constantly at 

 hand ready for use. 



Connection with the Water Works renders the boiler and large force pump of 

 no further use, and I would recommend their sale as soon as a price at all reason- 

 able can be obtained, also the sale of the brick in the building enclosing them. 



On a careful inspection of the roof of the main building, and consulting with 

 the President and other members of the Board, and also with several gentlemen 

 engaged in the roofing business, it was concluded to be rather too good to throw 

 away, but not good enough to pay for thorough repairing, so I had it repaired tem- 

 porarily. 



The north half of the roof requires entire renewal. The south half and towers 

 may be temporarily repaired to last another season, but I think it would be best to 

 renew the entire main roof. The deck roof is in good condition. The southeast 

 tower also, as in consequence of a stroke of lightning in July last, it was necessary 

 to renew entirely. 



The roof of Power Hall No. 2, a felt roof, required considerable patching and a 

 heavy coat of roofing paint; also some repairs on No. I. Both are now in fair con- 

 dition. The roof, a shingle one, on the frame building at the west end of the main 

 building, used for the exhibition of agricultural productp, is in bad condition and 

 needs renewing. A neat, convenient and tasty building was erected east of the 



