140 



PhiladeJphia Agricultural Society'' s Exhibition. 



Vol. V. 



Philadelphia Agricultural Society's Ex- 

 hibition. 



REPORT OF COMMITTEE OF ARRANGEMENTS. 

 To the Philadelphia Society for promoting Agriculture. 

 The Committee of Arrangement having closed the 

 arduous duty assigned them, of preparing for and con- 

 ducting the annual Exhibition and Sale of the Society, 

 on a more extensive scale than heretofore. Report 



That the " Rising Sun" village being fixed upon as 

 the most eligible location, they erected permanent sheds 

 for one hundred head of cattle, and covered pens suffi- 

 cient for about 100 sheep and hogs, besides which a con- 

 siderable number of temporary sheds and pens were 

 put up. 



The premiums offered were made as numerous and 

 comprehensive as the means of the Society would ad- 

 mit ; and that every possible fairness and justice should 

 be awarded, great pains were taken in tlie appoint- 

 ment of Judges. The Committee of arrangement were 

 extremely anxious to secure the aid of such men as 

 would combine skill and judgment with impartiality, 

 and who would not be biassed by personal considera- 

 tions. 



And the Committee report with peculiar satisfaction 

 that the gentlemen who were so kind as to perform the 

 part of judges devoted the most untiring care and s(di- 

 citude, to discriminate with correctness between the 

 various qualities and excellencies of the many fine ani- 

 mals, iScc, that came under their notice. If any of 

 their decisions were erroneous, it has assuredly not 

 been for vs'ant of efforts to do right, and the disap- 

 pointed should not despond, but trust to better fortune 

 on another occasion. 



The Committee have great pleasure in stating that 

 tlie E.xliibition exceeded their most ardent hopes — they 

 do not hesitate to express their firm belief that so good 

 a collection of live stock has never before been exhi- 

 bited in America. 



The thorough-bred and road-horses; the Durham, De- 

 von and Ayrshire cattle ; the sheep and hogs of several 

 breeds, were all excellent of their kind, and the Com- 

 mittee have only to regret that the list of premiums 

 did not make more discrimination between the differ- 

 ent breeds of neat cattle, which have become various 

 and extensive in this neighbourhood. 



Tlie number of animals on the ground was greater 

 than at the two preceding Exhibitions, and they were 

 much more uniformly good and handsome ; clearly 

 evincing the happy results of encouraging the intro- 

 duction of high-blooded domestic animals of every 

 race. 



Tlie well-directed liberality of the legislature has, we 

 trust, given permanency to this Society, whose efforts 

 to do good in the cause of agriculture should be conti- 

 nued with unabated zeal. The means thus placed 

 within our hands, and the contributions of members, 

 have all been expended in accordance with the spirit 

 and object of our association, and we trust the same 

 policy will be pursued during the next year. 



Notwithstanding the liberal expenditure of the So- 

 ciety, more stabling will be necessary to shelter the 

 stock that may be anticipated in future, and we would 

 particularly recommend that proper stalls for the ac- 

 commodation of horses be erected, within the same en- 

 closure as other animals which wilt display them to 



much greater advantage, and facilitate the means of 

 viewing them. These additional expenditures will, we 

 conceive, be fully justified if the exertions of the mem- 

 bers to promote the science of agriculture continue to 

 receive the approbation and support of the commu- 

 nity. 



For the first time since the resuscitation of the So- 

 ciety, have we had adisplay of agricultural implements 

 creditable to a community of farmers. This season 

 they were numerous, and excited much interest. This 

 part of the exhibition is not the least useful ; to till 

 the soil properly good instruments should be selected, 

 and the Committee would recommend offering every 

 possible encouragement to this branch of agricultural 

 economy. 



The Committee of arrangement had no doubt that 

 those who wished their ploughs tested, would have 

 come prepared with the means of using them, but in 

 this belief they were mistaken, and the hasty appli- 

 ances, with indifferent ground for the purpose, pre- 

 vented a satisfiictory result. We, therefore, earnestly 

 recommend that such measures be taken as will, in fu- 

 ture, ensure success in the display of this most valua- 

 ble implement of the farmer. 



The sale, although conducted, by Mr. Wolbert, with 

 ability and discretion, did not aflbrd encouragement to 

 the owners of choice stock. We are entirely convinced 

 that selling by public outcry at our annual exhibitions 

 is inexpedient. When such a variety of animals are 

 brought forward in the midst of a crowd, there is no 

 chance for deliberation or inquiry, and purchases are 

 made without discrimination, causing, in almost every 

 case, dissatisfaction, either to the buyer or seller; and 

 prices are entirely disproportionate to the relative 

 value of the animals. 



The Committee urge on the Society, the consideration 

 of this subject, and would suggest the adoption of rules 

 for effecting or encouraging private sales during tiie 

 exhibition. 



Much disappointment was expressed, by the nume- 

 rous visiters who were too late on the ground to see 

 the display of horses, and hereafter they should be 

 taken out to the field selected for their exhibition more 

 frequently. 



We deem it worthy of notice, tliat about 150 young 

 heifers, from the northern parts of New York and 

 Pennsylvania, were brought to the grounds of the So- 

 ciety, by Mr. Wm. Ward, and Mr. Bronson, where they 

 anticipated a good market. These young cattle were 

 very handsome of their kind, and, we are pleased to 

 say, found ready sale at remunerating prices. 



With much gratification, we refer to the good order 

 and harmony that prevailed during the whole exhibi- 

 tion ; and the large attendance of visiters gives assur- 

 ance of the lively interest felt in agricultural displays. 



The reports of the Judges are so full and discrimi- 

 nating, that the Committee have not deemed it neces- 

 sary to particularise farther, but cannot close their 

 report without expressing their approbation of the zeal 

 and public spirit manifested by the farmers from the 

 neighbouring counties of Chester, Montgomery, and 

 Delaware, who contributed many and various fine ani- 

 mals to the exhibition. 



Philadelphia County, Oct. 17, 1840. 



KENDERTON SMITH, Chairman. 



ALG'N. S. ROBERTS, See. Com. Arrangement. 



