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cares little more about a horse than he does about a hog ; but the race 

 furnishes a temporarv excitement more gratifying than tlje contem- 

 plation of udders and sirloins, fleeces, hams, poultry and agricultural 

 implements. 



And so, year by year, the attendance at the cattle show has waned, 

 and that at the horse show has waxed ; until, at present, the school 

 keeps, the pop corn man and the whip vender come not, and the 

 "• First Day " is sacred to stock, industrial products, exhibitors, 

 committees, officers of tlie society, and the few old fashioned people 

 who feel an interest in these matters. And, if it be so, so be it. 



We should of course prefer to think that the cattle show is in fact 

 as well as in name the chief attraction of the fair. We should be 

 glad if the public would display a more lively interest in the matters 

 which occupy our thoughts and employ our labors during the year. 

 But as this is plainly unreasonable, let us devote our energies to 

 making the most of the day as a means of mutual instruction, bene- 

 fit and enjoyment. We shall do this more permanently and effect- 

 ually if we also try to make it profitable, in a pecuniary sense. 



By the bounty of the State and the exertions of its officers, the 

 Society has a considerable fund which it is anxious to dispense in 

 premiums for earnest, well directed efforts for the promotion of agri- 

 culture ; and only the apathy of farmers themselves prevents the 

 beneficial influence of the Society from being extended tenfold. 



Now brother farmers, let us have a change. Let us prepare for 

 the fair of 1884, and all succeeding fairs, by improved vultivation of 

 our crops, and by increased care in the selection, breeding and man- 

 agement of our stock. Let us encourage our children to raise and 

 make something worthy of exhibition and premium. And, when the 

 time comes, let us exhibit the best products of our thought and labor, 

 together with such statements as the Society requires, and have a 

 good time, and get well paid for our trouble into the bargain. 



As a rule the man who exhibits his cow for a premium will do 

 more good than the one who sends his just to help out the show. 

 The former will make out and send the required statements as to the 

 breeding, management and produce of his cow, and both cow and 

 statement will at least be examined and criticised by his competitors 

 and the committee ; while the other will not affect the personal inter- 

 ests of any one ; and is quite likely to escape all particular notice 

 whatever. 



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