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 HISTORY OF STATE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. 327 The first meeting of the friends of agriculture in Benton County for the purpose of effecting a permanent organiza- tion was at Corvallis August 2, 1859. A. G. Hovey was chosen president ; James Watson and John Trapp, vice-presi- dents; Philip Eitz, treasurer; and E. M. Waite, secretary. The constitution and by-laws of the Lane County Society were adopted, with such amendments as were necessary to fit the local conditions. The date of first fair was set for October 13. At this time the meeting was addressed by J. Quinn Thornton and Rev. J. A. Hanna. Officers for the next year were elected as follows: A. G. Hovey, president; J. Quinn Thornton and A. M. Witham, vice-presidents; Philip Ritz, treasurer; E. M. Waite, secretary. A. G. Hovey, J. Quinn Thornton and John Stewart were elected delegates to the Agricultural State Convention. The names of exhibitors and the number of awards re- ceived are as follows: Allen, David 1 Matzger, William 1 Baker, John 1 Mcllree, William 1 Biddle, Miss Emma 1 Modie, J 1 Clark, 0. F 4 Nicholson, D. W 1 Davis, Miss C 1 Porter, William 1 Friedley, J. P 4 Quivey, A. M 1 Gage, Jesse 1 Ritz, Miss C. T 1 Garrett, Thomas 1 Thornton, Mrs. E. A 1 Graves, Wesley 1 Thornton, J. Quinn 1 Hanna, J. A 1 Thornton, Mrs. N. M 2 Hanna, Mrs. E. R 2 Watson, J 5 Hartless, E 6 Witham, A. M 3 Hovey, A. G 2 Wrenn, George P 1 King, Solomon 1 Wyatt, William 2 Martin, J 1 The first meeting in Multnomah County for the purpose of considering the advisability of organizing an agricultural society was on November 19, 1859, with Dr. Perry Prettyman in the chair, and A. G. Walling, secretary. The editor of the Oregonian, Thomas J. Dryer, was asked to address the meet- ing. A permanent organization was formed on December 3 by electing Thomas Frazar, president ; James B. Stephens and