SECRETARY'S REPORT. 



The past year has been one tinged both with discouragement 

 and encouragement. 



The storm of the first day of the Fair, the fact that little funds 

 were received from gate receipts on the first day, the unpleasant 

 weather of the second day, and a smaller amount of gate receipts 

 than usual, the interest on the debt, premiums, trotting pui'ses 

 and incidental expenses to be paid, the outlook to the officers 

 was not encouraging, and each one realized the fact that 

 something must be done, and that at once, to relieve the financial 

 embarrassment of the society. 



The officers, after a careful investigation of all the plans pro- 

 posed to relieve the society, voted to ask each exhibitor, who had 

 been awarded a premium at the Fair, to donate the same to the 

 society. In doing this they believed there, was enterprise, pride 

 and liberality enough among the farmers and others of this 

 vicinity to relieve the society from its unfortunate condition. 



How well they were supported in this view can be best ascer- 

 tained by an examination of the long list of persons who donated 

 a part or whole of their premiums to the society. It will be 

 noticed that some donated the whole, others part, while a very 

 few none. 



Only one expressed a desire that the Fair be given up, or i-ather, 

 said that they did not care for the society's continuance. All 

 others expressed a hope that it might continue. The generosity' and 

 liberality with which the donations have been made prove that the 

 farmers and others in this vicinity wish to have the exhibition 

 held and are ready and willingto helpsupportit. As a result of the 

 donation this year, the deficiency of the year has been paid and 

 over three hundred dollars on the debt of the society. 



