PROCEEDINGS OF TJE EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE. 197 



do not come until Saturday, or even until Monday, mucli to the annoyance of exhiliitors 

 desiring space on these davd. 1 wo.dd reuonimend that the assi;^ning of space in 

 divisions F. G, II. J, K. I,. M. N. O. P. Q l)e under one Superintendent, ^\ ho tsliall make 

 a diagram of all the spa?e in these depart neats. and assign to all i)ers )ns a[)plying up 

 to the first dav of tlie Fair, keeping a hook, ui which is recorde I the name of the ex- 

 hibitor with the nam ' of exhiliit. ai 1 t irn over these departments to theSiperintenclent 

 of the division on the first dav of the Fair. I am decivlediy of the opinion this change 

 would be a saving to the Society, an I more satisfactory to e.xhibitors. 



No one can better judge of the objects or merits of a rule than the Superintendents 

 and heads of the departments. 



The Fairs have reached such a magnitude that it has been found that any radical 

 change alfecting the rules alter the exhil)ition is opened, is attended with serious diffi- 

 culties and sliould. if ] ossible. be avoided. 



The expense incuried in holding our Fairs seems very large, and under our present 

 system must necessarily continue to be so. 



It should be remembered tliat we have no State treasury to fall b.ack upon to meet 

 the deficiency, whicli is likely to occur soon, unless we devise some plan by which our 

 receipts shall equal our expenditures. 



Most State societies are receiving aid from the State. 



Michigan has given this Society a name oali/, and with its name, and with the energy 



f)ut forth by its managers, it has attained to its present merited position among the 

 eadiug agricultural organizations of the %vorld. 



The people of this Strife are favored with local agricultural societies, equaling in num- 

 ber one to each organized county, and each holding its annual Fair. Some of these so- 

 cieties have become liovverful auxiliaries to this, and very strong competitors for its 

 honors. 



It is gratifj-ing that they have been so liberally sustained, and this indicates that our 

 people are not only interested in these enterprises, but that they also appreciate fully 

 their real merit and value. 



The question of a permanent location for holding the Fair, has been discussed at 

 former meetings, and i trust it will receive deservedly careful consideration by you, 

 after the rejwrt has been received from the special committee appointed last year to con- 

 sider the subject. 



If it should be your decision that the time has come to locate the Fair i^ermanently. I 

 am of the opinion that we should adopt the policy of ether States and ask this St.ite to 

 provide for the purchase of the land and the erection of suitable buildings at some cen- 

 tral point having good railway facililies. . 



Should there be objection to the State donating the amount necessary, it might loan 

 the Society the money, to be paiil back when its finances would warrant. 



If. however, the present plan of holding the Fairs in different parts of the State is to 

 be continued, arrangements should be made with several L.cal societies for the use of 

 grounds and buildin-s 



I think this may be done at less expense than we have been to in former years, and 

 thus enable us to increase our premiums. 



Michigan is credited with having the'most efficient Horticultural Society in the coun- 

 try. 'I'lie present arrangement that this Society has with the Horticultural Society 

 should be continued, ana I trust tlie benefit < resulting may bo mutual. 



'i he Slate Agricultural t oUege of Michi;;an lias a national reputation, and through 

 the efticieut work of tlie State i3oard of ^Ngricullure and its faculty, has become the fore- 

 most institution of its kind in this country. J'he annual visits of this Board have been 

 pleasant, and 1 believe, inotitable to all concerned. 



The financial condition of the Society will be reported by tlie Treasurer. 



In conclusion, 1 will say that I am in full accord with the general policy recommended 

 by Mr. Humphrey, the retiring President: and in assuming the duties of the office to 

 whicli I am now called, i desire to return to the gentlemen of this Committee and to the 

 members of this Society generally, my siiicere thanks for the honor conferred, with the 

 earnest hope tliat I may be able to serve you satisfactorily, as have my honorable pre- 

 decessors. 



t 

 SECRETARY'S REPORT. 



To the President and Executive Committee of the Michigan State Agricultural Socizty : 



Gentleme.x— I would respectfully submit the following report as a statement of the 

 transactions of the Secretary's otli^je for the year 18-^0 : 



Two hundred and fifty orders, amounting to $13,84'2.07, were drawn upon the Treas- 

 ury for the payment of accounts audited by the Business Committee, signed by the 



