JACKS, JENNETS AND MULES 15 



improvement in agricultural implements, etc. As the 

 citizens of my county did me the honor of placing me 

 at the head of the executive department of the Agri- 

 cultural Association, I felt I was under obligations to 

 them to exert myself to the utmost of my ability in 

 doing all I could to introduce such stock as would 

 promote the best interests of the association. I made 

 it a point to visit Kentucky and attend the most popu- 

 lar fairs of that state and make myself familiar with 

 their best modes of conducting their fairs. I also 

 visited some of the largest annual stock sales, such 

 as R. A. Alexander's, Suddith's, Grooms', and Van- 

 meter's. I also examined the renowned shorthorn 

 herd of Mr. Abram Reneck. I succeeded in purchas- 

 ing some fine stock that was quite an accession to my 

 county. More than one generation has passed since 

 this stock was introduced, but its effects can be seen 

 now. 



These agricultural fairs when properly conducted 

 are calculated to improve the country in many re- 

 spects. We have thought that there was too much 

 partiality shown the speed rings. Instead of giving 

 them such large premiums we should give them less, 

 and increase the premiums to those who are engaged 

 in raising the best specimens of corn, wheat, oats, rye, 

 barley, cotton and such products of the farm as are 

 of the greatest interest to the general farmer. We are 

 in favor of giving liberal premiums to the animal king- 

 dom, such as horses, mules, jacks and jennets, swine, 

 sheep, cattle and fowls. The ladies' department in 

 the floral hall should, too, receive proper encourage- 

 ment. Those who generally take the premiums in the 

 speed rings are not usually farmers, but make a 



