COUNTY AND DISTRICT REPORTS. 289 



extent, and the result is that many of our farmers are growing OKage orange hedge 

 fences, while others are using wire. This is made necessary on account of rail 

 timber being very scarce. 



The dog law as it now stands seems to be rather popular, at least with the clase 

 who have generally the greatest number of them, for, as a rule, they neither pa/ 

 taxes on their dogs or anything else. I am still of the same opinion that the only 

 law that will protect the sheep raiser is something similar to the law that was re- 

 pealed which required every dog to be registered and a tax paid in advance, and 

 a tag on him showing that fact ; all dogs to be killed whose owners failed to com- 

 ply with this law. 



The agricultural statistics that are furnished to the township assessors are 

 totally unreliable. Correct statistics would be very valuable, not only to the pro- 

 ducer but also to the consumer. I regret that I can not report any improvement 

 in the condition of our roads, nor is thei'e any probability of any change for the 

 better until there is a radical change in the present system of working them. The 

 first change that I would suggest would be to have all road improvement done hy 

 an ad valorem tax on all property, and this tax to be collected by the county treas- 

 urers in cash, and all work and improvements on roads should be, when at all 

 practicable, sold to the lowest bidder, plans and specifications being furnished to 

 the proper agent or agents to execute the law. That would be a matter for future 

 consideration. Further, roads should be changed to run on lines, whenever pos- 

 sible. Koads will never be permanent that run through lands so as to injure them, 

 which is usually the case. Again, grades should be established on all permanent 

 roads. This, with a thorough system by tile and open ditches, with proper outlets^ 

 will make much better roads than we now have, and perhaps it is all that we can 

 do for years, as we have no gravel and very little stone in our county. 



Since my last report there has been considerable immigration into this county, 

 and that of a very desirable character. I think we will gain more rapidly each 

 succeeding year both in population an in wealth, when our great natural advant- 

 ages, both of soil and mineral wealth, are more generally known. 



Good LET Morgan, 



Secretary. 



POKTER COUNTY. 



The fourteenth annual exhibition of the Porter County Agricultural Society 

 was held on their fair ground, adjoining the limits of the city of Valparaiso, Sep- 

 tember 16 to 19, 1884, and in all respects was a grand success. 



The weather was very fine, all departments were well represented, and every one 

 seemed pleased and satisfied. Each succeeding day added to the numbers, until 

 on the last day the ground was crowded with visitors, fully demonstrating the 

 necessity of more ground, which has since been purchased. 



The most popular feature of the fair — the horse — had a good representation in 

 all classes, from the heavy imported draft, with their grades, down to all purpose, 

 and the fine-limbed trotters and runners. 

 1 9 — Agriculture. 



