COUNTY AND DISTRICT REPORTS. 295 



during 1853 was reported to the State Board, showing great advancement by the 

 *' offering of 188 premiums, of which 12u were awarded, their cost being about 

 $400, of which $220 is silverware, and the remainder in books and bound volumes 

 of periodicals on agriculture and kindred topics." The score and a half of years 

 since these remarkable manifestations of agricultural interest have brought us 

 much of which to be proud. We have a ground upon which there are permanent 

 improvements of more than $10,000 in value, and the fair of the past season paid 

 in cash premiums fully $5,000, and received in entry fees, privileges, at the gates, 

 amphitheater, and from stalls, $<j,2S8.66, having paid more money for building 

 forty new stalls than all the awards of our brethren of 1853 amounted to. Their 

 efforts were laudable and probably more productive of good results than ours of 

 this day, considering and comparing the circumstances affecting both. Certain it 

 is that we are reaping the harvests of prosperity that have grown from the seeds 

 of industry and hardships sown by them. 



L. J. Hackney, 



Secretary, 



STEUBEN COUNTY. 



The Steuben County Agricultural Association can boast of as fine grounds, 

 buildings, stables, pens, and sheds for stock as can be found in the State owned by 

 a like association. An Agricultural and Floral Hall of large capacity, a Mechanics' 

 and Machinery Hall eighty feet in length, with a line shaft the entire length, with 

 width to operate machint ry the entire distance, thirty-five acres of even, level land, 

 shaded with hickory and oak trees. 



Liberal pi-emiums have at all times been paid, and the association is free from 

 debt, with a surplus of near $-500 in the treasury. 



Our last fair was held on the grounds at Angola, October 6th, 7th, 8th, 9th and 

 10th— five days — the first two being devoted to preparations. 



Our horses, as usual, took the lead, and were rr-presented by the best Norman, 

 Percherons, Cleveland Bays, and a number of other breeds. Our horsemen devote 

 more attention to raising heavy draft horses than others, as they command better 

 prices and a readier sale. 



The speed ring was not neglected. The races were warmly contested and ex- 

 cited much interest. 



■ Our Cattle Department was fully up to that of former years, the Shorthorns, 

 Herefords, Holcsteins, and Jerseys, with a high order of grades, in all degrees of 

 perfection. 



Sheep were represented by the Merinos, Leicestershires, Southdowns, and grades 

 in great variety, showing that our flock masters are using extra efforts to keep up 

 their well-earned reputation in this department. 



No better display of hogs was ever seen in the county, Poland Chinas taking 

 the lead, followed by Chester Whites and Jersey Reds. 



Our show of poultry was good, though not as full as heretofore. 



