292 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



splendid crop, though only about 6,000 acres sown. Of grasses, there is 22,000 

 acres of timothy, 1,200 acres of clover, and nearly 100,000 acres of blue-gra.s3. 

 The timber has dwindled to less than 30 per cent, of the acreage of the county. 

 About 30,000 head of hogs fatted the past year. We begun the year 1884, with 

 8,00U head of colts and horses, 700 head of mules, 22,000 head of cattle, and about 

 the same number of sheep. Putnam county's youthful farmers may take encour- 

 agement from the history of the past, as most of our wealthy as well as our lead- 

 ing men were and are farmers. 



VV. S. Cox, 



Secieta;-y. 



RUSH COUNTY. 



I herewith pre.sent my report of entries, receipts, expenditures, etc., of our an- 

 nual operations for the year 1884. 



And eacli year of our organization the President of the State Board requests for 

 general information, the spirit of our progress, as well as the popular will of the 

 farming community on several subjects that now seem to demand legislative 

 action. 



In my report for your tabular .statement it will readily be seen that our pro- 

 gress is upward and onward, and when looking at our receipts and learning that 

 three hundred stockholders, with their families, enter our gales free of charge, it is 

 plain that our attendance was all that could be desired, and as to exhibition of 

 stock, it also shows in all classes a good supply. In hor,-es, there is a growing de- 

 mand for the various strains of heavy draft, Avhilst general purpose and flyers have 

 each their zealous advocates. 



This being the home of the old Blue Bull — and a marble slab honors his mem- 

 ory — his prugeny having made noble records on many tracks, then may we not 

 with honest pride see our boys gracefully hold the ribbons? 



There is a place for all strain^, and all were well represented. The entries of 

 cattle show brisk competition. The quality of Shorthorns, and Alderney, and Jer- 

 seys showing no retrogression. 



Jn hogs, Poland Chinas and Berkshires still have their friends, whilst the 

 Chester White come in increased numbers, and the finest of specimens, and are un- 

 questionaltly gaining ground in popularity. 



In sheep all breeds were well represented. The low price of wool is forcing a 

 tendency to popularize the mutton breeds, and the Downs are taking the lead, par- 

 ticularly the Shropshire, many of which were here directly imi^orted, the finest in 

 ihe class, and many selling at a high range of prices. 



The Poultry Department was full, and the specimens were fine. The Mechanical 

 Department was not so good as formerly. This being ray fourteenth year as Secre- 

 tary, I can consjratulate the society in its onward progress by the books, and hope 

 it will not be out of place, as I feel it my duty in my retirement to heartily thank 

 the different Boards for their support and kindness throughout all these years. 



