66 BOARD OF AGRICULTUKB. 



method of keeping the spectators at such a distance that the cattle could be Betnx to 

 good advantage. It is not pleasant, and at all times not possible, to keep the crowd 

 back from the cattle and away from the awarding committee. It would also be a 

 good plan to provide seats for the judges, as on some days they are at worlt for 

 several hours continuously, and in the interim between classes they would find peats 

 very acceptable. 



Some changes can be made in the premium list with credit to the Society, and 

 with satisfaction to exhibitors. The aged bulls in the dairy breeds should be 

 shown with three or five of their get. I think this is being generally adopted at 

 the leading fairs. In the herd prizes there should be separate herd prizes for each 

 of the dairy breeds. It is imposfsible for any judge to pass intelligently on the 

 merits of the diflerent dairy breeds in competition, and greater satisfaction would 

 be given if the herd prizes were so divided, that each breed would be by itself. 

 This relates only to the dairy breeds. 



The fine exhibit of young beef herds was a credit to the State Fair, a credit to 

 the ownt-rs, and of especial interest to the spectators, and properly encouraged, it 

 can be made the great show in the4>eef classes, because owners have no hesitation 

 in properly fitting cattle under two years of age ; and it is especially designed to 

 show the early maturity of the diflerent breeds of caitle, and this is the chief end 

 sought to be attained by the modern breeder. If any of the premiums are increased, 

 we would call paiticular attention to this prize, and suggest that any increasse made 

 would be moni y well expended, and will serve to greatly increase the exhibit in 

 that class. 



To the owners and exhibitors of cattle at the fair of 1884, the thanks of the 

 Board are tendered, and a cordial invitation extended for 1885. 



SWINE DEPAKTMENT. 



A. BANKS, SUPERINTENDENT. 



As Superintendent of the Swine Department of our late State Fair, I beg leave 

 to submit the following report : 



The show of hogs was very large and good, I think the largest and best we have 

 ever had. The pens were all filled and we were obliged to erect a number more, 

 and also to use some of the sheep pens, but all were accommodated and we did not 

 know where we could have put another hog. There was on exhibition from ludi- 

 ana,442; Ohio, 127; Illinois, 61; Maryland, 25, and Michigan, 14. Of the differ- 

 ent breeds, Poland China first, 314; B.^rkshire second, 153; Chester Whites third, 

 110 ; Suffolk fourth, a? ; Victors fifth, 30 ; Essex sixth, 24. In all 670, against 332 

 last year and 298 the year before. 



