STATE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. 29 



p. 



are put. upon an equality none will have reason to complain, and each breed can then 

 stand upon its merits. 1 also reconiniond that competition be open to the world. 



The l'oinolo<|;ical Societ}' has cxhiljited with us for several \'ears. and 1 understand 

 a committee has heen appointed to meet with you at tliis session with reference to 

 an arraiijiement for a continuance of this practice. The moneys wliich we have on 

 hand and wiiicli we may receive are moneys paid by the public, and we are merely 

 its trustees to see that they are expended in furtherance of the objects of the Soci- 

 ety. 1 rfcommend that the Pomological Society be invited to continue its co-ope- 

 ration with us, and that tliis meeting make such appropriation in their favor as in 

 your judgment will be proper. 



Our farmers have realized and are still realizing good prices for their products. 

 This comes largely from the foreign demand for breadstuffs and meats. Our produc- 

 tion of botli is in excess of our own requirements, and the value of that produce is, 

 and will be, measured bj'' the price paid for our surplus. This being so, the farmers 

 of this State may well congraulate themselves upon the fact that we iiave again 

 reached a standard of values which is recognized by the commercial world. 



The object of this Society being to encourage development, 1 recommend that 

 special premiums be offered for agricultural productions from Northern Michigan, so- 

 called, and also special premiums for productions from the Upper Peninsula, these 

 being the portions of tlie State least developed agriculturally and needing most en- 

 couragement. This is a matter of special public interest, from the fact that the 

 State holds such a large quantity of lands unsold in trust for various purposes, and 

 in my judgment the oflfer of those premiums will have a tendency to bring the agri- 

 cultural value of these comparatively unknown regions to public notice, and to stim- 

 ulate development. 



1 recommend also that the Dairy Department be continued. This interest maybe 

 greatl3' developed in this State with i)rofit. Wisconsin is far ahead of us in that re- 

 spect, but our situation is such that Micliigan should take front rank in tliis industry. 



During the Fair great embarrasment is experienced by superintendents in procur- 

 ing judges to make awards. I recommend, to obviate this so far as possible, that 

 each superintendent be instructed to appoint judges in his department some time 

 previous to the Fair, and to procure from the judges tlius appointed a promise that 

 they will attend and perform their duties, the Society undertaking to pay theii- ex- 

 penses. As the members of the Executive Committee freely give their time. I have 

 no doubt, on proper application, gentlemen and ladies fullj' competent for the faith- 

 ful perf(jrmance of those duties, will not oidy undertake to act, but will come to the 

 Fair as the members of tiie Executive Committee come, feeling an obligation to 

 perform the duties thus assumed in the public interest. By making these appoint- 

 ments in advance, the judges will have opportunity to fully advise themselves con- 

 cerning their duties, will be prepared to act promptlj'^ as soon as the exhibition is 

 fairly opened, and their reports can be made and signed by them and approved by 

 the superintendents, and thus save great labor in the Secretary's office, heretofore 

 made necessary by imperfect reports, and also enable exhibitors to know at once 

 what awards have been made in their favor, and to receive payment thereof promptl3\ 



1 tender to you. gentlemen, my thanks for the zeal and promptness with which 

 you liave, without hope of reward other than the approbation of your fellow-citi- 

 zens, performed your arduous duties. I wish particularly to mention the renewed 

 obligations we should all feel to tiie Chairman of the Business Committee, Hon, J. M. 

 Sterling, for the great labor performed by him in preparing for the Fair. None ex- 

 cept those who have been intimately acquainted with the workings of the Society 

 can appreciate the responsibilities of his position, nor the value to the Society and 

 to the success of the Fair, of his great experience and indefatigable labors. 



1 trust that your session will be pleasant and harmonioui-. and have no doubt that 

 each and all will he actuated hy a desire to serve the i)ul)lic interest by promoting 

 in every i)ay jiossible the objects for which tlie Society was incorporated, to wit : 

 *' The promotion of the improvement of agriculture and the kindred arts." 



After President Pliillips took the cliair, Pliilo Parst)ns requested the privi- 

 lege of otferini; tlie following preamble iiud resolutions, whieli were ununi- 

 niously passed : 



WjiKUKAS, Tlie Hon. W. L. "Webber lias, during the past year, presided over our 

 meetings and deliberations, at very considerable sacrifice of time, with dignity, fidel- 

 ity and inijiart iality ; lending by his inlliience and clVort, tone and character to the 

 great organization we rei)resent. as also to the general interests of agriculture ; pre- 

 senting papers at various times distinguished for thought and practical utility, ele- 



