KEPOKTS FROM COUNTY SOCIETIES. 459 



AFTERKOON SESSION. 



The convention met at half past one o'clock, when the discussion of the 

 fourth question was taken up. 



Is it for the best interests of the society, or does it promote the advancement of 

 agricultural, mechanical or manufacturing interests in the county or district for a 

 society to give cash premiums for articles, implements or machinery not manufac- 

 tured in tlie county, and where the judges have no opportunity for pi-actically testing 

 the utility of the same ? 



This was decided negatively. 



The association recommended that county conventions adopt a rule that all 

 entries of animals and articles shall be made by the owner, or in his name by 

 his authorized agent, and that the owner thereof shall be entitled to the pre- 

 mium. 



"Has not the time come when agricultural societies should require all entries 

 of live stock to be made at least one week prior to the opening of their fairs?" 

 It was resolved that this convention recommend a rule for societies to require 

 entries to be made as above. 



The time fixed having arrived for visiting the university, au adjournment 

 was taken until evening. 



[At 2: 30 p. M. the convention in a body visited the university. They were 

 cordially welcomed by the President Angell, and by him conducted through all 

 the various departments of the institution. We will not attempt a description 

 of the Michigan University. It stands unrivalled in excellence, and its fame 

 is world-wide. After a pleasant sojourn of two and one-half hours, the mem- 

 bers of the association returned to the city.] 



EVENIIsG SESSION. 



Convention assembled in the main court-room and was called to order by 

 President Richmond at 7:30 p. if. 



The president announced the following standing committee on legislation : 

 0. H. Rockwood, chairman; I. H. Butterfield, Jr. ; E. A. Strong. 



An informal discussion was had upon the question of public aid by tax of 

 agricultural societies to the extent of providing grounds for fair purposes to be 

 owned by the counties. 



President Angell, of the University, was then introduced and delivered an 

 address which was listened to with intense interest throughout. We regret 

 that we can only subjoin a brief abstract as taken from the reporter's minutes. 



The following is a synopsis of President Angell' s address before the conven- 

 tion of agricultural societies : 



o 



He felt, as he came before an audience of skilled farmers, somewhat differently than 

 when appearing before almost any other audience, lie believed fairs to be educa- 

 tional, where a great deal that was valuable could be learned. The question is, What 

 sort of education does the farmer need, and how far is he to carry it with the means 

 at his disposal? There are three classes of farmers. The lowest class is made up of 

 a class of men who never did have and never will have much intelligence. In New 

 England some men carry on farming the same as their fathers did 75 years ago. 

 They seem to be shut up in seclusion, apparently indiflerent to things around them. 

 Seclusion, however, is not without its benefits. If a man does not have anything in 

 his mind to revolve, this seclusion will have no particular benefit. lie laid great 

 stress on educating the young farmer boys. Brisk young men for teachers in the 

 country would have a beneficial effect. 



The second class of farmers is made up of those who are filling the great store- 

 houses of the laud. They are ready, as a rule, to seize upon tlie best working mcth- 



