PROCEEDINGS. 63 



The number of entries in Book 1 35 



The number of entries in Book 2 . . . 32 



The number of entries in Book 3 . 62 



The number of entries in Book 4 100 



The number of entries in Book 5 92 



The number of entries in Book 6 184 



The number of entries in Book 7 20 



The number of entries in Book 8 4 



The number of entries in Book 9 42 



Total number of entries ... 631 



Including 42 for speed and 24 for jacks and mules, against 310 last year, and 314 

 two years ago. 



Among the many exhibitofe, the principal were : The Indianapolis Importing 

 Co. ; Dillon & Bro., Normal, 111. ; J. B. Ayres, Danvers, 111.; Thomas Roberts, Car- 

 mel, Ind. ; Peed & Co., New Castle, Ind. ; Hare & Granger, Fisher's Station, lud. ; 

 Door Village Live Stock Importing Association, Door Village, Ind. ; I). Fisher, 

 Goodrich, Canada ; W. P. Swaim, Bellmore, Ind. ; and Thomas Levi, Noblesville, 

 Indiana. 



"The 279 stalls were occupied, and 40 horses were compelled to find stalls outside 

 the enclosure. This was not only a large, bat a very fine display of horses. Never 

 before has our own State made so large and fine an exhibit. The high prises paid 

 for horses the last two years have brought about these results. 



Importers have been to the best markets in the world to buy the best breeds in 

 their several classes, thereby bringing competition very close, and rendering it 

 nearly impossible, in many classes, for the judges to make intelligent awards. This 

 is especially so in sweepstakes. 



In jacks and mules there were twenty-four entries. Though few iu number, 

 the showing was good. The breeding of mules within the State is On the decline, 

 or the premiums are insufficient to bring out a fair exhibit. 



The committee in this department worked very hard to make henest awards, 

 and succeeded generally in giving satisfaction, although the thermometer marked 

 90° in the shade, and the ovei'-crowded condition of ground conspired against all 

 concerned. 



The interest manifested by the visitors was at all times during the four days 

 unflagging to such an extent that during the after part of the day it was at times 

 almost impossible to find space to make the exhibit. Some plan should be adopted 

 by the Board to fix a limit for the spectator, which would give the horsemen a bet- 

 ter chance to show, and perhaps avoid serious accidents. 



The large increase of entries iu this department renders it apparent that for the 

 future the present fair grounds are inadequate for theholding of the State Fair. I 

 would suggest that the State Board should lose no time in acquiring more ground 

 adjoining, either by lease or purchase. Also, in the Horse Department that two 

 should be a collection instead of three, giving the exhibitor a chance to compete 

 both single and double ; making an equal display with a less number of horses. 



