STATE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY.

PRESIDENT'S ANNUAL ADDRESS.

Gentlemen of the New Jersey State Agricultural Society:

As is the custom, the Secretary will give you a full and complete report of the business and transactions of the past year, and as I do not wish to encroach upon it, it suffices for me to state that it is under very favorable auspices we meet here to-day.

Our Society has no debt, and is steadily advancing in all that goes to make an agricultural society a success. Our last fair was one of the most successful ever held, especially as to exhibits and attendance, and I think that on Thursday, September 18th, the fair grounds held a larger number of people than they ever did before on any one day.

It has been very gratifying to all the members of this Society, and especially the Executive Committee, that this Society has not only done a great deal towards fostering all the agricultural and mechanical industries of this State, by offering large premiums, (and at no time has the Society hesitated to appropriate money to advance the interests of the pursuits mentioned above, as we will this year pay in State premiums an excess of some $700 over and above the State appropriation,) but that the Society is at last ready and willing to pay a dividend to its stockholders, which not only seems proper, but right, when the fact is considered that for a number of years they have received no remuneration for their outlay.

And it may not be amiss for me to say, that I consider our grounds, with their acres of land, improved buildings for horses, cattle, poultry, and all the numerous improvements that have been lately made, as a very fair showing for the small capital invested by the stockholders, and with the present outlook it seems as though our future success is assured as well as future dividends.

And let me say, gentlemen, that I consider our success, as a Society, as largely due to the untiring efforts of the gentlemen who have

devoted so much of their valuable time and labor to the advancement of the several departments in their charge.

Mr. E. G. Brown, who for years past has had charge of the grounds, and, also, the erection of the new buildings of the Society, has, in the above position, fulfilled his trust to the satisfaction of the members of this Society, and, also, to the permanent advantage of the grounds and buildings.

Mr. E. B. Gaddis, in charge of the speed department, one of the most trying positions during the fair, to which he devoted much time and labor, before and during the fair, to the satisfaction of every one, especially the exhibitors, who were highly pleased with the efficiency of the management of the department.

Mr. William L. Tompkins, in charge of the State department, a position which was entirely new to him, but, nevertheless, owing to the persistence and zeal with which he carries on the affairs of his department, we had one of the finest displays of cattle, &c., ever witnessed in this State, and, notwithstanding the large amount of ground to be covered by his department, we did not hear of a single complaint against the management, and the State and Society should feel proud of an officer who has so carefully looked after their interests.

I cannot forbear mentioning the name of E. A. Wilkinson, another member of the Executive Committee, who so ably received the guests of the Society during the fair, especially in the case of our distinguished guest, Gen. Butler, whose reception proved to be one of the most trying the Society ever took in hand, and we must compliment Mr. Wilkinson on the masterly manner in which he conducted both the reception, and the retreat of the general.

But, gentlemen, as we are here to-day congratulating ourselves on our success, do not let us pass over the memory of those who were with us one short year ago, whose smiles, good words and sound advice, has done so much to add to that which makes us rejoice today. The original and greatest promoter of this Society, Gen. N. N. Halsted, will meet with us no more; sad and sudden as was his death, let us hope that for that which he has done for others, his memory will always remain fresh in the minds of Jerseymen.

And, gentlemen, who at our last meeting took a deeper interest in the welfare of this Society than the Hon. Phineas Jones, whose seat is vacant here to-day? For upwards of fifteen years did he serve this