458 STATE BOAIID OF AGRICULTURE. 



yard for a fiirin-hoiise, having especial reference to economy of expenditure. Require 

 a report of plans, plants and cost in money and labor. 



Oflor rewards for the b(^st arranged farm barns, sheds and out-buildings; for the 

 best planned kitchen and the accompanying conveniences, reference being had to cost 

 as well as convenience. 



In some waj-, we need to call more attention to helps for the women. Too many 

 are taking useless steps on account of a little want of thought or attention. 



Farmers surely need to keep a more accurate account of their expenses and income. 

 To encourage this offer liberal rewards for the first, second, third and fourth set of 

 farm books covering a year. 



To interest and encourage the boys and girls, offer awards for a great variety of 

 laudable undertakings. 



In awards for fat cattle and sheep of different breeds, is it not practicable to ex- 

 hibit tiiem for a day or two alive, and for tlie next day or two exhibit tlieir meat 

 dressed in good order? Tlien there would be a chance for those who desired to bet 

 and speculate and try their skill on the relative merits of animals. 



AVe are all interested or ought to be in the success of our county schools, our 

 graded schools. If we can do something in our fairs to help this along, we shall ac- 

 complish much good. 



Many of our school houses are forlorn looking objects, inside and out, as well as 

 the yards which surround them. 



May I hope that some officers of our county fairs will set this good work in motion 

 at their next fairs, b}' offering awards to the greatest surroundings of a county school 

 house, you will find some very interesting papers on this topic in the report of the 

 Michigan State Pomological Society for 1879, soon to be published. 



At the late meeting of the State Teachers' Association we wished to encourage 

 our schools by inducing the officers of our various fairs to offer premiums for school 

 exhibits. These may consist in drawings, spelling matches, singing, declamations, 

 penmanship, essays on insects injurious to farm and garden and orchard crops, or col- 

 lections of injurious insects or collections of minerals, stuffed animals or other objects 

 of interest. In most of the cases above mentioned no award need be offered. If at- 

 tention was called to the subject in the premium list and a committee was early 

 appointed to solicit exhibits no doubt they could be secured. For this purpose, or 

 these purposes, a suitable hall should be provided. 1 dare say it can be made to draw 

 equal to a horse race, or a base ball club at any rate. It will draw some who will not 

 he drawn by the above amusements. In case the officers of any agricultural society 

 wish to encourage school exhibits and want hints or help to start, I suggest that 

 our State Superintendent of Public Instruction, C. A. Gower, at Lansing, or the Pres- 

 ident of the State Teachers' Association, Prof. A. B. Thomas, at Saginaw, would render 

 any assistance in their power. I volunteer this suggestion witiiout their knowledge 

 or consent. 



Quite likely some of my suggestions have already been tried by a part or all of the 

 county societies. Some of the suggestions it would no* doubt be impracticable to 

 carry out, but I trust a few of them will prove worth trying and result in making our 

 fairs more profitable. We all like to see things grow. We do not feel well satisfied 

 to go year after year to see the same sort of a show, while in some cases it is not much 

 of a show after all. Progress and zeal, hard systematic work of skilled oflicers, will 

 awaken enthusiasm and call out the people to the annual fairs. If year after year 

 they go to the fairs and learn something which is valuable they will keep going and 

 induce others to go. Depend upon it, if your county fairs are lagging in interest 

 there are some good reasons for it. The good natured public are critics, and gen- 

 erally know a good thing when they see it. 



The art of agriculture is developing rapidly. None can keep up with the times in 

 which we live without reading and study. Those who will not move upward and 

 onward will be left behind or trampled in the dust. 



The association tendered a vote of thanks to Prof. Beal for his able, instruc- 

 tive and practical address. 



Discussions ^Yere resumed and at 12 M. convention adjourned until 1 : 30 

 P. M. 



