grand stand, during this its second 3'ear of ser\'ice, emphasize the 

 wisdom of the societ}^ in investing capital in that structure, and 

 suggest the advantage of further similar enterprise. The cus- 

 tomary baloon ascension was dispensed with this year, and an 

 effort was made to provide in its place a series of attractions that 

 would furnish more varied and continuous entertainment. Base- 

 ball games were arranged for the mornings of the first and third 

 days ; trick oxen and colts, trick bicyclist and comedy bar per- 

 formers were secured, and a variety of races and sports given ; 

 also special exhibits of interest from the Bloodgood and Monte- 

 video Stock Farms. 



The horse-trotting feature this year proved a comparative 

 failure. This was due, in part, to the bad weather of the third 

 day, and in part to the fact that the society has not kept pace 

 with its sister societies in the inducements offered in this de- 

 partment. The success of the .-society financially depends in 

 great measure upon its attractions, and of the attractions the 

 trotting is the principal feature of the last two days of the fair. 

 We think the society should make an effort to increase the 

 number ofxentries and the number of starters in each race, and 

 as an incentive to this larger purses should be offered. The de- 

 partment of trotting should be placed in the hands of a committee 

 to be appointed at the annual meeting, who should give this sub- 

 ject intelligent and practical attention from a business stand-point. 



O. C. BIDWELL, Secretary. 

 35 



