260 BOARD OF AGKICULTUllE. 



The weather, that has so much to do with out-door entertainments, was against 

 us for two days out of the four, and one of these unfavorable days was the third 

 of the fair, which is always that of Qur greatest attendance and consequent re- 

 ceipts. It was expected that those wlio were prevented from attending that day, 

 would be present the last day, but we were disappointed ; the attendance the last 

 day was no more than the same day of other fairs. 



While the numbers pre.^ent were not equal to our wish, the exhibit in several 

 essential departments was better than in any previous year, notably the Live Stock, 

 the Farm, and Vegetable Departments, and al-o tliat of ladies' fancy and handi- 

 work were better than ever shown before. 



Live Slock. Cattle. — In addition to the herds of Durhams and Jerseys usually 

 exhibited we had this year a very fine herd of Holsteins, which the growers claim 

 to be better tlian any other breed of horned cattle, as they unite the two desirable 

 properties of beef and milk. Tho.se on exhibition were indeed good .'^pecimenfi, and 

 awakened a great deal of interest. The Durhams exhibit was very good, so too the 

 Jer.-eys were numerously represented and found admirers. 



v-iheep. — These were in greater number and better quality than ever before. The 

 grades of fine, coarse and medium wool wer^^ all represented. A change has come 

 over the sheep-growing interest making almost a revolution. The market has 

 turned away fpom long wools and gone back in favor of the Spanish merinos, with 

 even the medium wools being in request before the combing wool. The fine large 

 growth of coarse wool flocks will, for its meat product, if not for the wool, continue 

 to induce the growth of the coarse, large sheep. 



Hogs. — The Poland Chinas seemed to be in the lead, but close following these 

 the Berkshire have many admirers, and both breeds w^ere numerously exhibited 

 and rt ceived many commendations. 



Horses. — With every,f:irmer and many .specialists this branch of stock growing 

 has a great interest. The exhibits were, .in number, kind and quality, entirely 

 Bati-factory. The heavy Normans and Clyde.-^dales, the general purpose horse, the 

 light stepping roadsters, and the special, standard-bred, fast movers, all were rtpre- 

 sented, each having their special admirers. The want of sufficient stabling has 

 been and is a serious drawback to this department, although twenty new stablt-s 

 were added this season the accommodations are yet quite inadequate to the needs 

 of the Society, but we hope, with <.ur surplus, to add new stables next year. 



Wagons and Carriages. This department gave a large show of work from the 

 various shops of our county. The workmanship and finish, including neat up- 

 holstering, was very commendable, convincing our people that they need not go 

 out of our county to supply any need in this line. 



Farm Machinery and Tnifjlements. This department, with machinei-y in motion, 

 was a place of great interest to our farmers, and .showed the marked advance made 

 by inventors and manufacturers 



The rioral Hall in its combined exhibit of plants, ladies' fancy articles, and 

 ehow of wares and nice merchandise, with good exhibits of amateur artistic paint- 

 ings and pencil drawing.s, was quite attractive, as shown by the large number of 

 pt-ople crowding the hall at all times during the fair. 



