296 STATK BOARD OF AGKI CULTURE. 



vatinjj and ])ro<;i-essive in their tendency over an cnernjetie, ^^rowin^ ^5tate; tlierefore, 

 liesolvc'I, That reco^-iiizin;^ the j^reat vahie of liis services to ns, we part with him 

 as our in-csidinjif ollicor willi extreme reluctance, tenderinij to him onr warmest 

 thanks for the interest he lias ever manifested in onr prosperity, with an assurance 

 that we shall ever cherish for liim personally sentiments of no ordinary i-egard. 



licsolved fttrllier, That we have j^roat pleasure in cono;ralid;itin<;- oni-selves and our 

 constituents, that thoui;-h ]\Ir. Webber retires from tin; position of presiding ollicer, 

 he yet remains permanently connected with the Executive Committee, and we are, 

 therefore, sure of the benefit of his matured wisdom and thought, and ai;tivc personal 

 co-operation in all tliat concerns the great material interests wliicli we are unitedly 

 seeking to develop and promote. 



Mr. \\'el)bei' brielly rctunied his thanks for the compliment. 

 He then introduced the President elect, Hon. Geo. W. Phillips, '.vho addressed 

 the committee as follows: 



INAUGURAL OF PRESIDENT GEORGE W. PHILLIPS. 



Oentlemen of the Executive Commitlee : 



The task which devolves upon me to-night is one which I very much wish liad fallen 

 to the lot of some one more competent for it than 1 am. Still, as the membei-s of 

 this Society, bj- electing me its President, have laid this duty upon me, 1 most wil- 

 linglj' discharge it as best I can. Before proceeding with the suggestions which I 

 desire to make in connection with the Society's operations, permit me a word of 

 congratulation with regard to the great prosperity which has blessed all tlie indus- 

 tries which we as a societj' represent and aim to foster and encourage. During the 

 year just closed Providence has smiled upon the labors of the husbandman, rewarding 

 his toil Avith an abundant harvest, and the general revival of trade and commerce 

 seen and felt everywhere secures him a ready sale and good prices for all his surplus 

 products. 



M}^ acquaintance W'ith our State Agricultural Society dates back as far as the year 

 of its organization, 1849. It then offered $1,000 in premiums. This is less than one- 

 tenth tlie amount actually disbursed on account of premium checks in 1878, exclusive 

 of the Horticultural Society, according to the last published report of the Treasurer. 

 For this wonderful growth, which now makes our Society one of the best in the 

 country, the State is indebted to the persevering industry and untiring energy of 

 the Executive Board. The practical wisdom, integrity and earnestness of purpose 

 of the gentlemen to whom the management of the Society is now committed has led 

 me to accept with a measure of confidence the position of President, believing that 

 we shall work harmoniously together for the best interests of the Society. 



I have a few recommendations, which are here submitted, as follows: 



GENERAL POLICY. 



Our policy should be of a broad and liberal character. I know this is the State 

 Agricultural Society of Michigan, and that to foster all the industries of the State, 

 especially those relating to agriculture, is our first duty and the principal object of 

 our existence as a Society. Still I regard it as perfectly in harmony with this end, 

 and in a measure promotive of it, to invite the competition of all who are willing to 

 compete. 



Michigan can compete with anj'- State or Province on the continent, and come oft" 

 first or second best every time. I would recommend, therefore, that our premium 

 list be open to the world, and that we extend a hearty welcome to all to join us. It 

 will greatly enhance the interest of the fair and best secure its end as an educator of 

 the people to have the very best specimens anywhere produced among the different 

 classes of our exhibitors. 



CATTLE. 



At present the premium list gives a preference to Short-horns over other breeds 

 of cattle. It may perhaps be claimed as a reason for this that the Short-horns are 

 more numerous than any other breed in the State. This does not, however, appear 

 to me to be a sufficient reason for the preference referred to. In the early days of the 

 Society the Devons were much more numerous than the Short-horns; probably two 

 of tlie former lO one of the latter were exhibited at our fairs. Yet there was no 

 complaint from the owners of Devons that the same amount of money was offered in 

 premiums in each class. Give the same rates of increase for the next eight or ten 

 years that we have had for the past three or four years, and the Jerseys will far out- 



