is by no means a matter of small concern, to augment the amount of funds in our treasury, and place the financial condition of our association beyond the reach of possible reverse or misfortune. We are happy to know that our association has led the way in breaking down the selfish and Chinese barriers of county or State lines-and even still happier to understan 1 that all of the surrounding agricultural soci.ties design to hereafter follow the precedent we have

thus set.

Since our last annual report the Society has procured a lease, for eight years, of twenty-five acres of most eligible and beautiful grounds, for the use of the Society and its Fairs. adjoining the city of Connersville. These grounds have been highly ornamented and permanently improved. The whole twenty-five acres has been inclosed with a close boarded picket fence, seven feet in height, with suitable places on either side for the ingress or egress of vehicles and footmen. These grounds have been pronounced by divers persons to be the most eligible and best suited for the purpose of any in the State-a very large sum having been expended in their preparation. Our Society respectfully tenders the use of these grounds to the State Board, should your honorable body ever again adopt the ill-advised plan of migrating the State Fairs around the borders of the State.

I herewith transmit to you copies of the essays entered into competition for the premium in the past year, including the prize essay, by Albert Honeywell, a practical farmer, of this county, all of which you may publish should you deem them worthy. I also forward copies of the statements of the competitors on the best cultivated and improved farms, and also the statements of the successful competitors on grain crops, and the chief articles of staple produce.

An address was delivered before the Society and the assembled multitude, on the third day of our Fair, on invitation, by Governor Jos. A. Wright, which was well received; but the address being extemporaneous, no copy was furnished us for publication.

A large addition has been made to the number of members in the current year-the books showing the names of 1,547 members to have been enrolled. This will evidence its prosperity and the

high place the association has in the confidence of the community, as well as its increased facilities for usefulness.

The Society has opened a regular correspondence with the Agricultural Bureau of the U. S. Patent Office, at Washington, receiving therefrom and forwarding thereto large quantities of rare and valuable seeds and plants; and, also, furnishing to them information, statistical and otherwise, of the condition of agriculture, horticulture, wine growing, gardening, &c., in this part of the State, together with the process of culture, &c., generally practiced. We recommend that the State Board recommend to each of its subor dinate societies the pursuance of a similar course.

I give below an abstract of the Treasurer's report up to this date, showing the financial condition of the Society for the year just expiring.

Total amount of expenditures, including premiums, building fences, &c., and all other expenses. ... ...

2,867 97

$775 52

As will above be seen, that while our receipts have been almost incredible our expenditures have been enormous. This will be accounted for by the necessity of a large outlay in leasing and im proving the Fair grounds before spoken of; and we regard it as an evidence of great and unprecedented success that such an outlay has not involved us in a large debt.

The recommendations of our last report are here again urged. While the last General Assembly empowered county societies to

purchase and hold real estate, there exists on our statute book no law directly incorporating them, and authorizing them to sue and be sued, &c. This is an oversight which we have felt the force of, and it should be remedied. We also recommended the incorporation of agricultural libraries, in connection with county or district agricultural and mechanical societies, to be under the control of their respective boards of directors.

Since our last report a considerable number of valuable books have been added to our library, which now numbers about two hundred volumes. With proper encouragement, by legislative enenactment, it is considered that such libraries can be rendered highly useful and efficient auxiliaries to the societies.

I give below a tabular statement of the productions of Fayette county, and of each township in the county, showing the number and value of each item or article of produce, and the aggregate in the whole county and each township. This statement is compiled chiefly from the reports of the township assessors made to the county auditor; and we are indebted to Mr. Job Stout, county auditor, for reliable data. This shows the amount of produce raised in 1854. It is not a full report, nor intended as such, but is only such an approximation as the assessors generally make to the actual amount produced. The amount of produce for 1855 will be much greater. But I give the statement.

A Statement of Produce, &c., raised in Fayette County, during the Year 1854.

Statement of Produce, &c.-Continued.

1601 22196319 53,650 52.0-3 6656 7810 69.703 5121 8803 12 280 2488 45 814 5006 30,851 8 3582 47 32,465

8,525/1320 121 109

I also herewith forward a tabular statement of the amount of produce, &c., on hand in the county on the first day of January, 1855. This, like the foregoing, is probably less than the actual amount, being derived from the same sources, but is at least a safe approximation or basis to estimate from. The amount on hand for 1st of January, 1856, will be much greater.

In the preparation of these lists much care and attention has been given, so as to have them as accurate as possible.