13 



country been so largely mechanical. The horse and the ox are not 

 the giants of twenty years ago. The machine is of equal accoimt. 

 We quite foresee the time when cart and plow shall move by other 

 forces in man's employ, and he be the gainer thereby. 



Moreover the Fair has grown less exclusively agricultural. The 

 primitive show of cattle and breedmg mares, straw cutters and 

 plows, apples, corn, and bedquUts-by courtesy-has been graduaUy 

 merged in the fair of to-day, where all the products of the Com- 

 munity appear in this best estate for the benefit of all parties. Here 

 the producers of gloves and of glass, have a- place with owners of 

 cattle and sheep. Here come the dealers in sHver and shoes. AU 

 meet upon common ground. For them pro^dsion must be made. 

 To them must be accorded the grades of merit, and their presence 

 be recognized by appropriate premiums. 



Now as a committee we deem that the Society has failed m this 

 matter The Fair in its nature and scope has changed while its di- 

 rection goes on very much as of old. Awards are made to about 

 the same amount for similar objects. Tha departments of rising 

 importance have not due recognition and sustenance. For they 

 will not sustain themselves. The love of display, the pleasure one 

 takes in the pubh^ appearance of his wares, will never support the 

 several branches of our Fair. There must be introduced the element 

 of chance. The possibihty of successful competition to reduce ex- 

 penses of exhibition or exhibitors will send their goods elsewhere,. 

 and our display consist of leanness. 



We plead then for more money to be given in premiums worthy 

 the importance of the articles in question, that specific awards be 

 made to successful competitors, that every inducement in the So- 

 ciety's power be afforded to owners and inventors to exhibit their 

 various mechanisms. 



It was a pleasant and by no means an onerous task to examme 

 the twenty-seven entries in this department. There was a mowmg 

 machine, soUtary but stout and serviceable. Some substantial carts 

 by J. Adams' Sons. It seems desirable that wagons and carts of 

 various kinds should be better represented than is customary. A 

 few specimens of fancy carriage work would add much to the ap- 

 pearance of our grounds, and it seems advisable to make an-ange- 

 ments to protect the same from sun and rain, that owners need not 

 fear to risk their property in our care. Hunt & Co. had stoves m 

 full operation and were in attendance to set forth their merits, as- 

 all should be who have articles on exhibition and expect the Com- 

 mittee Award. 



