REPORTS FROM COUNT Y SOCIETIES. 453 



If it is deemed impracticable to have an address at the time of the fair, still every 

 society can org-anize a clnb or literary department and hold stated meetino^s— say 

 semi-annually— at whicli time formal addresses, papers and discussions may be liad, 

 wliich sliall be of practical benefit to the cause of ao:riculture. 



I fully concur with Secretary Garfield of fhe State Pomoloofical Society in the 

 views as set forth in a letter dated Grand Kapids, December 2G, 1879: 



Dear Sir:— * * * * Tliere is no doubt hut great good may be brought 

 to agriculture and arts tlirongh the medium of exhibitions; but we are living far 

 beneath what we ought to in this regard. The English and Canadians have a better 

 idea of fairs, making them great market occasions. 



One point 1 would urge strenuously, were there a place in your programme, and 

 were I present at your convention — that each county or district society have a winter 

 institute to extend through two days and evenings, at whicii time the election of 

 officers should occur, some prominent lecture be given upon rural affairs, and practical 

 discussions had upon special or general topics. 



Jf this plan as outlined could be carried out as industriously as the programme of 

 the fair, our county societies would be more in the liearts of the people, and do more 

 for agriculture. Respectfully. 



CHAS. W. GARFIELD. 



************ 



We should unqualifiedly commend the State Agiicultnral College, the faculty, offi- 

 cers and Board of Agriculture, as in every way essential to the advancement of agri- 

 culture and tlie dissemination of useful knowledge, and deserving the hearty and 

 generous support of the people of the State. The annual volume of transactions, 

 essays, proceedings of Institutes, etc., issued by the State Board of Agriculture, is a 

 book of rare merit, not excelled by any publication of like cliaracter in this country — 

 national or state— and we can but regret that the edition is so limited that we have 

 but few copies, comparatively, in each county lo distribute. 



This association is under special obligations to Prof. Baird, Secretary of the State 

 Board of Agriculture, for his uniform kindness and the valuable assistance rendered 

 us in the full publication of proceedings of the annual conventions. 



A statistical table is herewith submitted embracing the names and location of all 

 the societies of the State, so far as ascertained, and the detail of their transactions 

 for the year of 1879, so far as returns liave been sent to this ofllce. 



The Lenawee County Agricultural Society experienced a sad disaster at its last 

 fair in the breaking down of the grand stand while occupied by a large body of spec- 

 tators, by which accident many valuable lives were lost and a large number of per- 

 sons seriously injured. 1 am advised by the secretary, Mr. Maim, that tht^y leased the 

 grounds; that no blame can be attached to the society, and that the people generally 

 of the locality exonerate them. They have devoted all their surplus this year in aid 

 of the sufferers. 



But mj'^ report has been extended to an unwarrantable lengtii. I close, expressing 

 the sincere wisli that our deliberations here may be pleasant and profitable to all 

 who have come hither, and that we may be able to render some substantial service, 

 not only so far as relates to societies and their management, but to the great cause 

 of agriculture and its development of our State. 



[For financial report of the agricultural societies of the State see tabular 

 statement annexed.] 



