COUNTY AND DISTRICT REPORTS. 261 



The balloon a!=censions, given on the second and fourth days, were very satis- 

 factory, and a pleasing thing to witness — given by the society in addition to the 

 promised amusements, and acceptably appreciated. 



The crops of the year 1884, of wheat, oats, corn, clover and timothy hay, indeed, 

 all kinds of farm and garden products, was more than an average yield. Corn, 

 that for the years 1882 and 1883 had proved failures, in consequence of cold sum- 

 mers and early fall frosts, this year grew well and fully matured, giving abundant 

 yield of this substantial staple. Hay, and, indeed, grasses of all kinds, by reason 

 of the wetness of the spring, warm and seasonable rains, was never more abundant, 

 and the clear days for curing same was exceedingly fortunate. Add to this the 

 genial rains of October, which brought out anew the grass as in June, and gave the 

 best of pasturage until snowfall at middle of December. The season, in all of its 

 conditions, was never so good. The large products, and the unfavorable conditions 

 of money matters, reducd prices of all the cereals. Meats brought a better remu- 

 neration, thus showing farmers they must not rely on grain raising alone, but 

 must mix in the production of livestock. 



The progress made in better farming, in all its branches, is plainly shown to 

 those who attend our fairs from year to year. There is no line of agricultural 

 product but what has made marked advance. Particularly is it observable in the 

 improved live stock of the whole country. Scarcely a herd of cattle is to be seen in 

 our fields but what it is easy to see that there is a decided toning up by the cross of 

 Shorthorn, Holstein, or other good breeds. The general horse is also much im- 

 proved by the infusion of Norman, Clydesdale, Hambletonian, or other good breeds. 

 That this good work may go on, let the agricultural societies be helped and en- 

 couraged by the influence of good men and their money help— not grudgingly 

 withheld. 



Ticket of Admission. At the organization of our society a commutation ticket, 

 commonly called a family ticket, was adopted, admitting the heads of a family and 

 all children tliereof under fifteen years old, for the whole fair, at the price of one 

 dollar. Although the manag rs of the society liave long since seen that tliis, while 

 it brings to the fair great numbers, puts into the treasury but little money where- 

 with to make improvements, pay premiums, and defray otlier necessary expenses of 

 holding fairs; yet we have not been able to break away from -this unfortunate rule 

 and in lieu of it adopt a single admission ticket, because of tlie tlireatening remon- 

 strances of farmers that we can only have their presence and help if the family 

 ticket be continued. ' 



The financial condition of the society — although the receipts were less than 

 they sliould have been — is entirely sound. All liabilities are paid, and a surplus 

 of $1,380 left to commence a new year with. 



