No. 200.] 13 



The conductors of this Institute were early impressed with the im- 

 portance of an annual public exhibition of the choice products of ag- 

 riculture and the arts accompanied with the distribution of premiums 

 for those adjudged most excellent, as being calculated most effectually 

 to promote the object of the charter of the Institute. They have 

 therefore been held every year since its organization. The eflfect was 

 at once seen to be salutary, and a powerful emulation was awakened 

 through all the ramifications of industry, and over a vast area of our 

 country. Curiosity, a deep American feeling the pride of national in- 

 dependence, at the first notice filled the halls of the exhibition with 

 admiring spectators. Three great incentives to human exertion and 

 improvement, pride, ambition and interest were brought into action in 

 their full potency. Continual approbation greeted the ears of the in- 

 genious contributor, and his meritorious productions were gazetted 

 through the country. This was not all. At the close of the exhibition 

 more durable evidences of merit were bestowed in premiums publicly 

 awarded in the presence of vast concourses of the people. The very 

 first exhibition roused a spirit of competition which spread throughout 

 our land, and has been growing more and more intense ever since. The 

 amount of improvement which has resulted from the powerful stimu- 

 lus the exhibitions have afforded for eighteen years, continually in- 

 creasing in magnitude, and attended with the strong and encouraging 

 approbation of the public, no one can measure, while all must be sat- 

 isfied that our unparalleled progress has been greatly accelerated by 

 their impulses. For the purpose of presenting some idea of the 18th 

 annual fair and its influence in accomplishing the designs of the Le- 

 gislature, and with suggestions by the managers deemed by them im- 

 portant, we here insert their report presented at a subsequent stated 

 meeting of the members of the Institute. The premiums awarded to 

 agriculture and horticulture, with the names of the fortunate compe- 

 titors of the 18th fair. Also a table showing the Agricultural and 

 Horticultural premiums for a series of years. 



