was by far the largest that ever came together, on any occasion of the kind, since the organization of the society. The display in every department, with one or two exceptions, was superior to any of our former fairs; but still not what our county should de, possessing such ample material as she does for making a splendid exhibition. The entries at this fair were as follows: Of horses, 47; mules and asses, 7; cattle, 59; sheep, 40; coars manufactured articles, 45; hogs, 2; coops of fowls, 5; fruit, 7; garden vegetables, 10; dairy produce, 9; flowers, 7; ladies" work, 65; ornamental pictures, daguerreotypes, &c., 17. Total, 320. There were numerous animals and articles exhibited on the grounds and in the hall, which were not registered; and, consequently, did not compete for premiums. It is worthy of remark, that nearly all of the cattle registered were of the finest breeds, embracing the finest of the herds of Geo. Barnett, Robert Milne and others. The sheep exhibited were but samples of the many numerous fine flocks of French an ! Spanish merinos, of which this county can boast. The great number of fine horses exhibited called forth expressions of su.prise and admiration, both from strangers and residents. The mechanical department of this county, though it was not represented in all ita varied branches, was well sustained in all the coarser and heavier work, such as farming implements, wagons, carriages, buggies, &c. In this line of business our county is second to none, and the many beautiful specimens of shop work ex hibited convinced every beholder that the mechanics of Will county are perfect masters of their trades. The principal exhibitors of buggies, wagons, &c., were Phillips & Waterman, of Lockport. Of farmers' implements, John Lane, jr., Lockport; Cagwin & Jones, Joliet; and Shreffler & Vandersoll, Plainfield. The large number of ladies in attendance, with the various samples of domestic and fancy work, by them exhibited, testified in the strongest terms of the deep interest they felt in sustaining and promoting the interests of our society. The amount of money paid in premiums, at this fair, was about $225. The annual address before the society was delivered by Hon. G. D. A. Parks. The amount in money offered as premiums for the fair of 1856, is near $600. The officers for 1856 were as follows: President John Young, Manhattan. An executive committee was chosen, as follows: New Lenox-J. C. Kercheval, Wm. Gouger, Abram Francis. land. Manhattan-Clark Baker, Martin Berrigan, Hiram Olney. Wilmington-Peter Stewart, A. J. McIntyre, A. W. Bowen. Channahan-Peter McCowan, J. B. Schermerhorn, H. Alt house. Wesley-Harvey Warner, E. W. Jones, John Frazer. I am yours respectfully, R. B. HARRINGTON. Besides the encouragement given to the societies, I find there is a benefit conferred on publishers, manufactures, etc., by giving local lists of active and intelligent agriculturists. J. A. K. WINNEBAGO COUNTY. From R. Ogilby, the corresponding secretary of this society, we incidentally learned that their fair for 1856 was to come off at the same time as the state fair-a very bad arrangement under all circumstances. From another source, we are informed that the number of entries was 831. Total receipts $2,000-against 680 entries, and about $1,000 receipts, the year previous. Since writing the above the following notice has been found in the Prairie Farmer, and we conclude that the managers had discovered the fact, in regard to the time of holding the state fair, and altered their own appointments accordingly: We have received the list of premiums, with the names of awarding committees, for the third annual fair of the Winnebago County Agricultural Society, to be held in the city of Rockford, the last week in September, 1856. Exhibition days-Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, September 23d, 24th and 25th. The officers of the society arePresident-H. P. Sloan, Winnebago. Vice President-Horace Starkey, Butler. Corresponding Secretary-E. W. Blaisdell, jr., Rockford. Directors-Robert J. Cross, Roscoe; R. H. Saunders, Lysander; Horace Miller, New Milford; Milton Kilburn, Rockford; Lewis Owen, Owen. Committee on Stock, Farming Utensils, Carriages, Wagons, &c.-Horace Miller, R. H. Saunders, Milton Kilburn. Committee on Domestic Manufactures-Horace Starkey, Lewis Owen, Robert Ogilby. The committee on stock and domestic manufactures constitute the executive committee. ILLINOIS STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. PROCEEDINGS OF THE CONVENTION FOR THE ORGANIZATION OF THE ILLINOIS STATE HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. DECATUR, MACON COUNTY, ILL., December 17, 1856, Pursuant to the call of a committee appointed for the purpose, at the last meeting of the Illinois State Agricultural Society, a meeting of the friends of horticulture was convened this day. The convention was called to order by the Hon. M. L. Dunlap, Hon. D. J. Baker, of Alton, was chosen chairman, and C. R. Overman, of Bloomington, secretary. The chairman, in an appropriate and spirited address, explained at length the object of the meeting, the necessity for the organization of a state horticultural society, and the cheering prospects which were before those who embarked in the cause. Dr. E. S. Hull, of Alton, moved that the chair appoint a committee of five to draft a constitution and by-laws; which was adopted. Whereupon, the chairman announced the following gentlemen as said committee: Dr. E. S. Hull, Hon. M. L. Dunlap, Hon. L. Ellsworth, J. E. Starr and Dr. II. C. Johns, Dr. B. F. Long, of Alton, moved that the chairman appoint a committee of three persons to prepare business for the convention. Approved. The chairman appointed J. Atwood, of Alton; L. Starr, of Fremont; and O. B. Galusha, of Lisbon, said committee. The committee retired, and the convention informally discussed the merits of different varieties of fruit. The meeting then adjourned to 2 o'clock, P. M. Convention met, pursuant to adjournment. The committee on constitution and by-laws made a report; which was accepted, and the committee discharged. On motion, the constitution and by-laws, as reported, were taken up, discussed, amended and adopted, seriatum, and as a whole. Dr. E. S. Hull then moved that a committee of one from each county, so far as they were represented, be appointed to nominate officers for this society. Adopted, and E. S. Hull, of Madison; M. L. Dunlap, of Cook; H. C. Johns, of Macon; R. W. Hunt, of Du Page; N. Overman, of Fulton; S. Shaw, of Tazewell; W. H. Mann, of McLean; O. B. Galusha, of Kendall; and Wm. Stewart, of Adams, were appointed said committee. The committee having retired for the purpose, returned with the following report: For President-E. S. IIull, of Alton. For Vice Presidents-R. W. Hunt, Naperville, second district; F. R. Phoenix, Bloomington, third district; L. Shaw, Fremont, fourth district; S. Francis, Springfield, fifth district; Wm. Stewart, Payson, sixth district; Dr. Kile, Paris, seventh district; J. P. Reynolds, Salem, eighth district; A. Bainbridge, Jonesboro, ninth district. Recording Secretary-J. E. Starr, Alton. Corresponding Secretary-0. B. Galusha, Lisbon, Kendall county. Assistant Recording Secretary-F. R. Phœnix, Bloomington. Treasurer-B. F. Long, Alton. The report was accepted, and the gentlemen named were, on motion, duly elected to the offices for which they were nominated. The president, Dr. E. S. Hull, then took his seat and returned his thanks for the honor conferred upon him. He felt that this day a new era in horticulture had commenced-the fiat had gone forth that the people should be aroused to a subject so replete with interest, one which appealed to their sense of the beautiful, one which appealed to them pecuniarily; indeed, one which stood scarcely second to any other interest in our state. He felt proud to be the humble instrument in the hands of others to aid in carrying out this work. Upon motion of Dr. B. F. Long, the secretary was authorized to procure the necessary books and blanks for the use of the officers of the society. O. B. Galusha, from the committee to prepare business, presented the following report; which was approved: The committee to prepare business would recommend the appointment of a committee to prepare a memorial to be presented to the state legislature, at its approaching session, praying for a charter for this society. Also a committee to present a petition to the legislature for an appropriation to promote the interests of the society. Dr. E. S. Hull, Hon. M. F. Dunlap, and Hon. D. J. Baker, were appointed a committee to carry out the above recommendations. |