180 Editorial Miscellany. 



of the Society, Mr. Hancock, at whose instance I became an in- 

 vited guest during the week of the fair. I was also much in- 

 debted to the Vice-President, Mr. Mallory, for attention and infor- 

 mation ; also to Mr. H. P. Byram, the gentlemanly editor of the 

 horticultural department of the Louisville Journal. This exhibition 

 was attended by over 60,000 people. There is a feeling of rivalry 

 and emulation in regard to agricultural exhibitions in Kentucky 

 that is salutary and beneficial in its effects. There are about a 

 dozen societies of this kind in Kentucky, who hold annual exhibi- 

 tions. Their grounds are well arranged, of ample dimensions, 

 all having circular amphitheatres capable of seating, under cover, 

 from 15,000 to 25,000 people, and what adds to the interest of the 

 enterprise, these fixtures are usually erected at a cost of from 

 $20,000 to $30,000, and are permanent. 



The display of agricultural implements was fine, and in great 

 quantity. The exhibition of fruits was meagre in the extreme, 

 owing, probably, to the lateness of the season The only variety 

 of fruit worthy of notice was peaches, mostly of the late Cling- 

 stone kind?. The display of flowers was fine. Some boquets did 

 justice to their fair exhibitors. 



There is no State in the Union that can boast of possessing 

 finer horses and cattle than Kentucky'. Their principal aim for 

 years has been to improve their stock of these animals. Their 

 importing associations often bring out $80,000 worth of cattle 

 from England per year. The character of the horses and cattle 

 exhibited at Louis vile excelled anything of the kind I ever saw 

 before. 



There was the utmost enthusiasm manifested during the exhibi- 

 tion by the ladies. Each one had her favorite horse or animal 

 and described their good points with as much precision as if they 

 were connoiseurs. 



The amphitheatre presented all the gorgeous hues of the rain- 

 bow, so great was the array of beauty. It seemed as if all of 

 Kentucky's fairest daughters had turned out en viasse. 



The weather was very propitious for such an exhibition. It 

 was bright, clear, cloudless October weather ; no frosts had yet 

 tinged the foiest with red and golden hues, and to see the endless 

 panorama of moving life in the shape of elegantly dressed ladies, 

 it seemed as if one was on enchanted ground, and called vividly 

 to mind the scenes described in " Arabian Nights." I shall ever 



