SECRETARY'S REPORT. 



Members of Hampshire Agricultural Society: — At the close 

 of each year it is customary for the Secretary of the Society to make 

 a brief and concise report of the transaction during the year. 



When the present board of officers were elected it was the deter- 

 mination of each to introduce some new feature at the Fair : and get 

 out of the old rut in which the society have been traveling in so long. 

 We have been in this rut for years, offered the same premiums, same 

 purses for trotting, have had no new attractions. The result has 

 been, the same persons have exhibited at our Fair in nearl}- the same 

 classes, and taken the same premiums year after year. The same 

 persons have come with horses, taken the purses offered. This pro- 

 cess has continued so long that people have become tired of attend- 

 ing our Fair, and lost interest in the society. The gate receii)ts have 

 decreased from year to year, and not increased as they ought, if this 

 continues it is only a question of time when the society must give up 

 its grounds and disband. Something must be done which will excite 

 new interest, and enthusiasm in our Annual Fair, we must offer premi- 

 ums and purses so that we shall have more exhibitors, we must make the 

 attractions and exhibitions at our Fair such that they will draw the 

 people from year to year, and thus steadily increase the attendance. 

 For it is from the gate receipts that we derive our principal income. 



With this feeling the officers determined to introduce some new 

 attraction at the Fair. Bearing in mind the financial condition of 

 the society, it was a difficult task to obtain any. But at last we 

 secured Prof. James K. Allen and son of Providence, R. I. to make 

 a balloon ascension. The}' considered the financial condition of the 

 society and gave their services for about one half their regular price. 

 The officers deemed it advisable to advertise more than usual. This 

 was done, the officers posting the bills, etc. With this attraction, if 

 two fair days were granted, their success would be assured. Ihese 

 proved to be exceptionally fair and warm. On the second day of 

 the Fair as the hour arrived for the ascension, the crowd increased 

 rapidly, one looking up the road leading to the grounds could see it 



