EXHIBITION OF 1871—SUPERINTENDENTS’ REPORTS. 93 
greatly benefit our farmers, we strongly recommended them one 
year ago, and would again call the attention ol the society to 
the subject. 
The mechanical department of our fair, I fear, is not fully 
appreciated. To encourage the manufacture of agricultural 
machinery, to bring out the best mechanical talent, to stimulate 
competition, and then to give the farmer the benefit of all these 
combined, should receive the hearty support and encourage¬ 
ment of the society. 
We live in an age which has developed, and is developing 
great results in all the useful arts. Never before has the farm¬ 
er had such advantages for the acquisition of knowledge; and 
never before has the genius of the inventor and the skill of the 
mechanic been so earnestly engaged to relieve toil, reward 
labor, and multiply the comforts and blessings of life. Com¬ 
pare the advantages of the present day with those of our 
fathers, when the wooden plow, the scythe and sickle were the 
implements of husbandry, and the mind is filled with wonder 
at the progress made even within the lifetime of this genera¬ 
tion. 
Then let us give the inventor and manufacturer the credit 
due, the encouragement merited, that still greater results may 
be achieved. 
The duty of making a detailed report was entrusted by me, 
with permission of the board, to a very competent committee, 
the object of which was to give proper notice of the articles on 
exhibition as well as to advertise, through the medium of the 
Transactions, the manufacturer and exhibitor; which report I 
have the honor herewith to present. 
REPORT OF SPECIAL COMMITTEE. 
Major Rufus Cheney, superintendent, etc: 
Sin : Your committee, to whom was entrusted the duty of examining the 
machinery exhibited at the state fair of 1871, would report as follows: 
The number and variety of articles on exhibition in this department ren¬ 
dered the labor of your committee quite arduous, and may have caused 
them to overlook, or to pass without due consideration, some things that 
were worthy of special notice; and any failure in the performance of their 
