COUNTY AND DltTRICT REPORTS. 305 



WASHINGTON COUNTY. 



The Washington County Agricultural, Horticultural, Mechanical and Indus- 

 trial Afisociation held its fourth annual fair on its grounds at Salem, September 8 

 to 12, 1884, inclu.Hive; and, as in the preceding year, an adjoining county held its 

 fair the same week, presumably aifecting ours to eome extent ; yet we had, all 

 things considered, an improvement in exhibition over all our preceding fairs. After 

 paying the premiums, $1,862.50, and expenses of fair, we had a surplus of over 

 $600 to apply to old claims, improvements, etc., something of a gain over last year. 



Our exhibit in green fruit was very indiflerent, both in number of entries and 

 quality, owing to the almost failure of that crop in the county. Our show of 

 poultry was not quite so good as the preceding one, especially in number of en- 

 tries. There seems to be a lack of interest this year in this class, which we hope 

 to be able to correct in the future. Our exhibition of sheep and cattle was quite 

 creditable indeed, and would compare favorably with any county in Southern In- 

 diana ; while in the exhibit of horses and hogs our show excelled all our previous 

 fairs, and would compare favorably with any county fair in tlie State. Their su- 

 periority in breed and general good qualities challenged the admiration of all who 

 saw them, wliile the number was greatly in excess of all former exhibits. 



Our classes for draft, light harness and general purpose horses were each about 

 equally well represented. The judgment expressed by all observers was that 

 Wasliington county breeds and shows first rate horses in all classes. 



Our speed rings were fairly well represented, and gave general satisfaction. 

 Our free-for-all pace deserves special mention, it being a close contest, taking five 

 heats to settle it; finally won by ''Daisy D." in 2:22, the best time ever made on 

 our track. 



In this connection I deem it but fair to say that, in my opinion, based upon 

 both experience and observation, good speed rings are a necessity as an incident of 

 a good fair. There mu.st be some amusements coupled with our shows of stuck and 

 general farm products to relieve its monotony. "All work and no play makes Jack 

 a dull boy" can well be applied to management of fairs. And what more inno- 

 cent amusement can be adopted than the trials of speed of the noble animal, horse, 

 and what more entertaining to the average audience at our fairs? Besides, if we 

 prvivide them our people spend their money at home to see what otherwise they 

 would go away from home to see, at a greater cost. 



Our general agricultural products bear evidence of a continued improvement 

 from year to year. The continued and intelligent use of well selected fertilizers 

 demonstrates that our farmers and gardeners are becoming educated up to their 

 own interests, their increased use becoming greater from year to year. A good 

 farmer now will hardly think of sowing a meadow without its use, having realized 

 that with it he can count on a set of grass ihe first year with reasonable certainty, 

 while under the old mode it was generally a question of doubt as to success, and 

 always as to time. 



I forbear a discussion on the general topics suggested in the annual circular of 

 the State Board at this time, for the reason that two years ago, in our annua' re- 

 20— Ageicultuke. 



