Orders drawn and not presented at date of this report, 188, 339, 364, 394, 516, 543, 553, 555, 557, 561, 565, 566, 572, 579, 580, 581, 582 and 583... 831 08 $17,643 36 142 95 $17,500 41 There is an indebtedness of $3,500, and accrued interest of $315, due March 1, 1899, secured by mortgage on the fair grounds. On motion of Hon. E. W. Keyes, the chair appointed the following committee to examine said report, and compare the same with the books of the secretary and the vouchers therefor: A. H. Main, Dexter Curtis and M. J. Cantwell. The committee, after a full examination of all vouchers, books, etc., reported as follows: The committee appointed to examine the vouchers of the treasurer and compare them with the books of the secretary, beg leave to report that we have discharged that duty, having compared the vouchers with the report and with the orders drawn, and find them correct. All of which is respectfully submitted, A. H. MAIN, Committee. On motion of Dr. Wm. Jacobs, the report was unanimously adopted. On motion, the society adjourned. 2. W S. A. S. EXHIBITION OF 1879. OPENING ADDRESS. BY HON. N. D. FRATT, PRESIDENT. Fellow Citizens and Members of the State Agricultural Society – Another year has rolled around since our last meeting on these grounds. Another harvest has been gathered for future use, and now it is eminently proper that the farmers, mechanics, manufacturers, merchants and representatives of all the industries of the state should meet in this annual gathering of the society at this our state fair. Especially should the farmers be here. This is their jubilee, and almost the only one they have. We have ploughed the ground, have sown the seed, and reaped the harvest. Our hopes and cares, anxieties and fears (and labors thus far), are things of the past. A breathing spell, a short period of recreation has been reached. We can now look forward to the close of the agricultural year, measurably sure of the results. It is well, then, that we should thus gather from all parts of our magnificent state; free from toil, throwing off our cares, bent on cheerful enjoyment, yet awake to every chance of improvement, and what oportunities for pleasure and profit are here. I must repeat what I said here last year, that in my humble opinion, in the length and breadth of this land, there are no educational influences at work that will compare in extent, variety and power with those that are operative on these grounds, here and now. These fairs awaken emulation and fellowship; they diffuse knowledge of the best methods of successful farming, and of all new and useful farm implements. Here are brought the choicest products of the soil. Here improved breeds of horses, cattle, sheep and swine are exhibited to all. I have not now time to enter into any detail of this numerous display, but I will say that in all its departments it has never been excelled in this state. The present season has been, on the whole, a prosperous one. Spring wheat is certainly much better both in quantity and quality than it was last year. Oats, barley and flax are all good; potatoes are more than an average yield, and the corn crop promises to be excellent; while winter wheat surpasses all expectations. I suppose it has never been equalled in our state. We may safely estimate the yield at from twenty to forty bushels per acre. Our life is one of ever recurring changes; now elevated by success where we had no hope of it, and now disappointed where we were most sure. Amid these vicissitudes, however, it is most cheering to note the evidence of a steady improvement in the mental status of the agriculturist which must be apparent to all. This improvement is shown in many ways; in increasing interest in agriculture as a science; in quickened mental activity, which demands its food and stimulus in agricultural literature of all kinds books, newspapers and the transactions of this and kindred societies. This higher mental plane is also evidenced by the growing inclination to employ money, business energy and enterprise which are so successfully employed in other departments of business, and without which all commercial and manufacturing enterprises inevitably end in failure. But in nothing is this intellectual activity shown to be so manifestly beneficent to the agriculture of the present era, as in the adoption of improvements in all kinds of farm implements. Of such improvements let us instance but one as an example. The sickle of our grandfathers gave way to the cradle of the next age. The cradle is followed by the reaper. Then to this is attached the self-rake. Still later, to facilitate and economize the harvest work, the same machine is provided with apparatus for instantaneous binding of the sheaves. Thus the toil of nearly a score of men is accomplished in comparative comfort by one man. The greater use of brain power in our day is also shown in the economical adaptation of means to ends in managing large farms. Large farms seem a common if not a necessary attendant upon the rapid settlement and opening to the world of the great agricul EXHIBITION OF 1879. OPENING ADDRESS. BY HON. N. D. FRATT, PRESIDENT. Fellow Citizens and Members of the State Agricultural SocietyAnother year has rolled around since our last meeting on these grounds. Another harvest has been gathered for future use, and now it is eminently proper that the farmers, mechanics, manufacturers, merchants and representatives of all the industries of the state should meet in this annual gathering of the society at this our state fair. Especially should the farmers be here. This is their jubilee, and almost the only one they have. We have ploughed the ground, have sown the seed, and reaped the harvest. Our hopes and cares, anxieties and fears (and labors thus far), are things of the past. A breathing spell, a short period of recreation has been reached. We can now look forward to the close of the agricultural year, measurably sure of the results. It is well, then, that we should thus gather from all parts of our magnificent state; free from toil, throwing off our cares, bent on cheerful enjoyment, yet awake to every chance of improvement, and what oportunities for pleasure and profit are here. I must repeat what I said here last year, that in my humble opinion, in the length and breadth of this land, there are no educational influences at work that will compare in extent, variety and power with those that are operative on these grounds, here and now. These fairs awaken emulation and fellowship; they diffuse knowledge of the best methods of successful farming, and of all new and useful farm implements. Here are brought the choicest products of the soil. Here improved breeds of horses, cattle, sheep and swine are exhibited to all. I have not now time to enter into any detail of this numerous display, but I will say that in all its departments it has never been excelled in this state. The present season has been, on the whole, a prosperous one. Spring wheat is certainly much better both in quantity and quality than it was last year. Oats, barley and flax are all good; potatoes are more than an average yield, and the corn crop promises to be excellent; while winter wheat surpasses all expectations. I suppose it has never been equalled in our state. We may safely estimate the yield at from twenty to forty bushels per acre. Our life is one of ever recurring changes; now elevated by success where we had no hope of it, and now disappointed where we were most sure. Amid these vicissitudes, however, it is most cheering to note the evidence of a steady improvement in the mental status of the agriculturist which must be apparent to all. This improvement is shown in many ways; in increasing interest in agriculture as a science; in quickened mental activity, which demands its food and stimulus in agricultural literature of all kinds books, newspapers and the transactions of this and kindred societies. This higher mental plane is also evidenced by the growing inclination to employ money, business energy and enterprise which are so successfully employed in other departments of business, and without which all commercial and manufacturing enterprises inevitably end in failure. But in nothing is this intellectual activity shown to be so manifestly beneficent to the agriculture of the present era, as in the adoption of improvements in all kinds of farm implements. Of such improvements let us instance but one as an example. The sickle of our grandfathers gave way to the cradle of the next age. The cradle is followed by the reaper. Then to this is attached the self-rake. Still later, to facilitate and economize the harvest work, the same machine is provided with apparatus for instantaneous binding of the sheaves. Thus the toil of nearly a score of men is accomplished in comparative comfort by one man. The greater use of brain power in our day is also shown in the economical adaptation of means to ends in managing large farms. Large farms seem a common if not a necessary attendant upon the rapid settlement and opening to the world of the great agricul |