Middlebury register. (Middlebury, Vt.) 1886-1937, 1916-12-08
AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY.
Surplus Reported at Annual Meet
Ing, Officers Re-eleeted, Good
Year In All Departments.

'SeF w NJ GVpe'hHNS"Ns'
The presence of COL S. A, Ilsley at
the annual meeting Of the Addison
County Agricultural Society Wednesday
afternoon, when it had been feared that
hls health would not permit, and report
of a profit of about $500 from the last
Fair, brought cheer and good feeling to
the gathering and made it one Of the
most pleasant in years as it was also the
largest, Members were present from
all parts Of the county, Harmony pre-
vailed and the old officers were elected
without opposition. President John f..
Weeks; Vice Presidents, Col. S. A..
llsley and w. c. Hack; Secretary, Frank
c, Dyer; Treasurer, Charles +, Rogers;
Auditors, John A. Fletcher j. M.
Burke, and C. A, Chapman; and
Directors to serve for three years, John
II, Donnelly, Frank W, Williams, Lucius
E, Avery, and Truman C. Varney,
When nominations for President were
called for, Col. llsley said he had come
to the annual meeting for two reasons,
first because of his improved health,
and secondly that he might nominate
Judge Weeks for President. Col Ilsley's
remarks were loudly applauded, Upon
his unanimous election Judge Weeks
made an excellent address, reviewing
the work OF the year and asking for CO.
operation for the continued success of
the Fair. He said the Society had
closed the most prosperous year in its
history. Every effort will be made to
increase the usefulness and attractive
ness Of the Fair, but we have come to a
point where it is hard to find anything
better, This is especially true in enter
tainment, it being hard to find anything
which Addison county has not seen.
Exhibition Hall last summer had one Of
the best displays ever made in Vermont.
The mechanical building has been of
great practical benefit to the farmers.
The excellent races last year were Sc
cured only by real effort, there now
being very little breeding for speed in
this part Of Vermont. In closing Judge
Weeks asked for earnest work on the
part of all to make the next Fair a still
greater success, and asked for rising
vote of appreciation of the restored
health of Col. Ilsley, which was unan-
imous.
The dates for the Fair of 1917 were
fixed for August 2S, 20, 80, and 81.
Onmotion of w. N. Cady seconded by
President Thomas the Society voted
500 for premiums at the Winter Stock
Show at the Government Farm.
The entertainment following the busi-
ness meeting was of high order and
was much enjoyed by the large audience.
The Bostonian Male Quartet was good.
Mr.. DeBall proved an entertaining
humorist, and P. V. Mordelia, the Man
with the Accordion" made that instru-
ment do wonders never before seen in
this country.
The Secretary's report by Frank c.
Dyer gave such a clear and informing
account of the affairs of the association
that we reproduce it in full.
SECRETARY'S REPORT 1916.
The Addison County Fair has passed
another milestone and one that will be
memorable for its great exhibits, splen-
did attendance and financial success.
The "hgh cost of living" "had affected our
fair as it had individuals and the remedy
was the same; a little speeding up, and
economies where possible. The result
was balance on the right side of the
ledger and we have commenced again to
add to instead of subtract from our
surplus. There were some new features,
we need them. We had for instance a
Ford Day" without any yhelp from Henry
either. | found out by the way that self
propeling vehicles were not popular in
some quarters; as when | asked per-
mission to have some large posters
placed in certain public places was
answered, that if they contained no
reference to our Ford Day" the
matter would be considered. AS they
did not the posters were displayed A
little contracted perhaps, but after all
human. We had special classes for
bull and heifer calves exhibited by the
boys of Addison County, through the
generosity of two members of our
bo rd. want right here to quote from
a letter written to me by Andrew
Elliott of Gait, Ont, who judged the
cattle classes. AS you we'll know there
is no higher authority on this continent
than that bluff old Scotchman. He
$ VS., perhaps word regarding Mid
dlebury Fair just passed might be in
order. Let me say that during a long
life's association with fairs and fair
have seldom found fair
so complete and up to date in its man
apement. Also have not O ten found as