282 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



MADISON COUNTY. 



The seventeenth annual fair of the Madison County Joint Stock Agricultural 

 Society was held on the 1st day of September, 1884, and continued for four days. 



The showing in hoi-ses was good, both as to numbers and quality, being the 

 largest and best ever on the fair grounds. Among the exhibitors worthy of men- 

 tion are D. W. Kemp and Silas Jones, Madison county; Powell & Peed, New 

 Castle, Ind., each having a very fine showing of thoroughbred imported horses. 

 The cattle exhibit was grand, consisting of Shorthorns and Jerseys. All the cattle 

 stalls were taken. The sheep display was very fine, as large as usual, and of finer 

 quality. All the sheep pens were taken. Among the large exhibitors were C. L. 

 Henry, Anderson ; A. W. Groves, New Castle, Ind.; Cook & Morse, Raymonds, 

 Ohio. The swine exhibit was fair, but not up to the average of past years; the 

 quality very good. The poultry display not as large as past years, but a very fair 

 show. 



The fine art display was not up to last year's exhibit, but larger than past years, 

 with the exception noted, quite a number of exhibitors from a distance being here 

 with exhibits. 



The Agricultural and Horticultural Departments were full to overflowing, 

 being the largest display ever had. 



The Speed Department full, and all races passed ofl* in good style. 



All in all, the fair of 1884 was the largest in every sense of the word ever held 

 here. 



Our farmers are beginning to take interest in oiir exhibitions, vieing with each 

 other as to who can best cultivate his grounds and improve his stock. 



The condition of agriculture in this county will compare favorably with any 

 county in the State. There is a great diversity of soil, and all susceptible of a 

 high state of cultivation, and all crops known in the State, it is believed can be 

 grown here. 



There has been an immense amount of ditching done and tile put down in this 

 county in the last few years, which has made land that has been worthless for agri- 

 cultural purposes, the best producing land in the county. 



In the matter of roads much interest is now being taken, and quite a number 

 of " free pikes " were finished last year. 



Grain growing predominati s, the crops of last year being all fair. Grass grow- 

 ing and grazing is on the increase, and is encroaching on the grain growing branch. 

 The amount of timothy and clover raised last year was fully up to the average, 

 and of the very best quality. 



Fruit and vegetable crop good. 



Our supply of fine timber is fast disappearing. Saw-mills and shipping the 

 cause. 



Our supply of stone for building purposes is inexhaustible. 



The next Madison County Fair will be held on September 7, 1885, and con- 

 tinue for four days, at the old stand. C. K. McCdllouoh, 



Secretary. 



