COUNTY AND DISTRICT REPORTS. • 259 



DELAWABE COUNTY. 



The Delaware County Agricultural and Mechanical Society held their thirty- 

 first annual fair at their beautiful and commodious grounds, one-half mile north 

 of the city of Muncie, on August I'ith to 16th inclusive. 



AVhile the time for holding the fair is early in the sef«on, there are some ad- 

 vantages that overbalance the disadvantages. Being the first fair held in this por- 

 tion of the State, a larger attendance, we think, Ls secured, and there is no conflict 

 of datt'S with any other society. The stock and all other articles intended for ex- 

 hibition has by this time in the year been put in condition, and is ready to start 

 out to other fairs ; and no more central point and one from which good shipping 

 rates can be secured, can be found than Muncie, hence many of them come here 

 to distribute their stock from this point. 



Farm products are not as well represented so early in the season, yet we have 

 always had a very creditable display in that department 



The last exhibition was eminently successful in all the departments, the en- 

 tries being more numerous and exhibits of a finer class than ever before. In fact, 

 the exhibits of cattle, sheep, horses and hogs was more in tlie nature of a State 

 fair than that of a single county. The speed ring was well represented, and waa 

 free from the hippodrome that so frequently destroys interest in races. 



The attendance was large, and the receipts ample to pay all premiums in full, 

 the expenses of the society, and considerable improvement that became necessary 

 to accommodate exhibitors, and aL«io leave $500 to apply on an old indebtedness, 

 which is now reduced to such small proportions as to leave no feai-s for the future 

 of the society. 



Improvements to the grounds and buildings for the better accommodation of 

 spectators and visitors have been made and others are contemplated, as it is now a 

 fixed fact that the Delaware County As.sociation is one of the established institu- 

 tions of the county ; is worthy the support of her people, which has been and we 

 have no doubt will in the future be liberally given. 



The county is a purely agricultural county, and as such is second to none in 

 the State. For a few years past much attention has been given to raising and 

 breeding fine stock. Many of our citizens are taking special pride therein, and 

 we can truthfully boa«t of having some of the finest and beet blooded stock in the 

 country. .John T. Wildman, 



Secretary. 



ELKHART COUNTY. 



The year 1884 completes the thirty-third year since the organization of the 

 Elkhart County Agricultural Society. Fairs have been held regularly, save about 

 seven years of an interruption caused by the War of the Rebellion. 



We commenced this year with apprehensions that on account of the absorbing 

 topic of the Presidential election we would be less successful than usual. To 

 counterbalance this more than the usual effort was made, by advertisement and 

 otherwise, so that we might, at least, have the success of ordinary years. 



