Scott County Agricultural Society

A meeting of the Directors of the Scott County Agricultural Society was held, according to appointment, at the Court House last Saturday morning.  Only five of the Directors were present, viz: E. Smith, Pres’t; T. T. Saunders, Secretary; C. Krum, C. R. Marks and J. A. Le Claire.

After reading the minutes of the last meeting, the committee on the premium list presented their report, which was amended and adopted.

The premiums to be offered are in the main the same as last year’s; but liberal additions have been made to those on stock, and the more important manufactured articles.

In horses, the premium for the best stallion was increased to $200; for the second best $100, and $50 is offered for the third best.  It was also determined to appoint a committee to raise subscriptions for a premium for the best horse standing in the county the coming spring season.  Messrs. C. Krum and J. J. Smart, of Davenport; Jas. Gamble, of Le Claire; John Robinson, of Winfield; Erie Dodge, of Buffalo; A. Donaldson, of Pleasant Valley, and T. C. Smith, of Hickory Grove were appointed such committee.

In class B, horses, mules, &c., a few additions are made.  $25 is offered for the best five colts from one horse, from one to five years old, exhibited with the horse.  A full set of premiums is offered for draft horses, the same with slight exceptions as for roadsters.  The best lady rider on horseback is dropped.

In cattle, $20 is offered for the second best bull.  In natives and grades, the committee have made considerable alterations, there being no desire to perpetuate the stock, unless as crossed with thorough-breds.

$25 is offered for the best herd of cattle.

$20 is offered for the best buck; $25 for the best flock of twenty-five or more sheep; and $10 for the best lot of swine.

Twenty, ten, and five dollars are offered for the greatest and best variety of fruit, and $20, $5, and $2 for the same raised in Scott county.

For the best half acre of tobacco, $5 is offered.

For the best 100 pounds of sorghum granulated sugar, made in this State, $20; and $10 for the second.

Another class, O, is added: for such articles as are not included in other classes, and the committee is authorized to make such awards in those cases as they may deem proper.

There will be no charge for entries for premiums under $10.  On all others ten per cent of the premium will be required for the entry fee.

The increase in the amount of awards of awards seems to be judiciously arranged, and while such changes have been made in other matters as, it is thought, will go far to obviate much of the complaint which prevailed last fall.  The attendance of farmers was something better than last year, when there was only one present; and had the roads been pleasant, there would no doubt have been a much larger attendance from the country.  As it was, the suggestions of those present were mostly adopted by the board.

Before the Board adjourned, Messrs. E. Smith, C. Krum, C. R. Marks, and J. A. Le Claire were appointed a committee to get the premium list printed and circulated and do whatever else seemed necessary for the success of the fair.

The Board then adjourned, subject to the call of the president.

– Published in The Davenport Daily Gazette, Davenport, Iowa, Monday Morning, March 3, 1862, p. 1