27 



receiving entries and preparing for the next day's exhibi- 

 tion. 



The society has daring the past summer purchased land 

 and built large barns for cattle and horses. 



The barns appear to be well constructed, and conven- 

 iently arranged so that the stock might be easily cared for 

 and very comfortably. 



They also have built a 14 mile track, and fenced their 

 grounds, "showing that the officers have been very busy. 

 They were also very courteous to all. 



I understand that the entries of cattle in the various class- 

 es were not as large as usual (whether the location had any- 

 thing to do with it, time will tell). Yet there were some 

 very fine cows on exhibition, which showed good care and 

 breeding. 



There was a very good exhibition of swine, mostly from 

 one farm. In the horse barn there were a number of very 

 fine animals, and judging from the number of the people 

 who constantly filled the barn, should say the horse was 

 the favorite in Essex County. 



The exhibition hall where the ladies held the fort, with 

 a few of the sterner sex, was very finely arranged .and in 

 some departments was very fine. There was quite a large 

 exhibit of pears and grapes, also in the fancy work line the 

 ladies had some ver}" fine work. 



In the vegetable department, the entries were not large 

 in number, but the quality made up in a large degree what 

 it lacked in quantity. 



I was compelled to leave on the afternoon of the second 

 day, thus did not have the pleasure of being present at the 

 annual dinner, which I learn was a grand success ; it could 

 not be otherwise under the very able management of the 

 officers of the Essex County Society. 



Respectfully submitted, 



C. M. Blair. 



