150 BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



articles. To me there is no part of our exhibitions more im- 

 portant, attractive or interesting. To the ladies we are greatly 

 indebted for much of the success attending these annual festi- 

 vals, and I would that they be more encouraged to present for 

 exhibition those beautiful articles of their industry, by being 

 more liberally remembered in the distribution of the premiums. 

 The presence of the ladies at our fairs is indispensable. Vice 

 in all its forms ; profanity, vulgarity and rowdyism of every 

 hue, is checked and restrained, and even the drunken loafer is 

 more a man in their presence. Where they lead, success is sure 

 to follow. Of the great multitude present on the second day, 

 filling the hall in all its parts and the grounds adjacent, I verily 

 believe that more than three-fifths were ladies. The success of 

 this society is a " fixed fact." 



The ploughing match, which is so attractive and draws 

 together such great numbers of people in other parts of the 

 State, caused but little excitement here. 



There was no exhibition of horses on the course that I saw, 

 except the ladies' riding, which came off in the forenoon of the 

 second day amid a great crowd of highly delighted and interested 

 spectators. They were fearless, dashing riders, performing 

 admirably, and managing their horses with great skill and 

 judgment. It was the first equestrianship of ladies on the 

 course, and the excitement was intense. "Where thousands are 

 made so happy, and receive so much pleasure, at so little 

 expense, why not allow it ? 



The dinner on the second day, was the crowning feature of 

 the exhibition. It was served in the large upper room of the 

 hall, where four hundred ladies and gentlemen and invited 

 guests partook of an excellent dinner. After being duly disposed 

 of, the president of the society introduced the Hon. Emory 

 Washburn, who proceeded to give the annual address in a speech 

 of great ability and eloquence. It was an eminently good, 

 practical, common sense speech, and was received with decided 

 approbation by an attentive audience. 



After the address, a beautiful harvest hymn, written for the 

 occasion by F. W. Crocker, Esq., was sung to the tune of Old 

 Hundred, in which the whole audience joined. Some remarks 

 were then made by the president, relative to the affairs of the 

 society, followed by interesting speeches from his excellency 



