Exhibition—Opening Address. S9 
stimulas to the farmer and the manufacturer, and an educator of 
the people generally in the higher departments of industry. 
The total.receipts from the exhibiton were $19,316.59, which, 
with the amount of two thousand dollars received from the state, 
has enabled the society to meet all of its liabilities promptly, and 
show a balance of $2,375.86 at the close of the fiscal year, 
December 3, 1873. 
OPENING ADDRESS. 
BY WM. R. TAYLOR, PRESIDENT. 
Members of the State Agricultural Society: 
Gentlemen : Another year, with its change of seasons, with 
its sunshine and its storm, its times of hope, and intervals of 
despondency, has come and gone. The fruitage of its industry is 
being garnered for future use, and the new year stands waiting 
for report upon progress of the old. We meet again—agricul¬ 
turists, mechanics, manufacturers, artisans of every calling, to 
compare notes upon the past year’s work—to exhibit the best 
specimens of our skill and industry, to note defects and make 
record of excellences, as comparison shall bring them out,—to 
catch new inspiration, each in his chosen life-work,—and to gather 
fresh strength and fresh courage to meet the increased demands 
which the new year shall make upon us. 
And what fitter time could we convene for such purposes, than 
in this autumn season, when nature has well nigh exhausted her 
energies in our service, and is calling for respite; and in what 
fitter place, than upon these beautiful grounds, just outside of the 
great metropolis of our state, and in hearing of the busy hum and 
din of her ceaseless industries. 
This society has publicly declared its object to be, “ the ad¬ 
vancement of agriculture, horticulture, and the mechanical and 
household artsand the executive board, following out the 
catholic spirit which characterizes the act of organization, has not 
only invited the representatives of these, but of all other activities 
