REPORTS FROM COUNTY SOCIETIES. 461 



ing the fairs so as not to conflict with each other, but to permit and encourage exten- 

 sive visiting from one society to another. 



A resolution v/as adopted recommending to all the county and district agri- 

 cultural societies to hold winter institutes annually, and also that it is the 

 judgment of this convention that every agricultural society should, as soon as 

 they can, select men to do their judging who arc really experts in this particu- 

 lar class, — men that can and will explain intelligently the reasons for the decis- 

 ions they make, — and such capable judges cannot often be obtained until we 

 arrange to pay their expenses. 



It was resolved, that it is the sense of this convention that by careful and 

 judicious selection and cultivation of the best ears of the best varieties for seed, 

 by better preparation of the seed bed, by the cultivation of the plants and the 

 intelligent and sufficient use of manure and other fertilizers, it is possible for 

 the farmers of Michigan to add. fully 50 per cent to the present average yield 

 of the wheat crop of the State. 



The discussion of other topics proposed by the committee was postponed until 

 the next annual meeting. 



The subject, "How can we cross Clawson wheat with the Treadwell?" was 

 discussed briefly by Prof. Beal, who explained to the convention the modes of 

 crossinfi: strains. 



J. A. Scott of Ann Arbor gave his experience of raising corn on the Maumee 

 bottom. 



Philo Parsons of Detroit, J. "W. Wing of Scio, Aaron Campbell of Pittsfield, 

 Frank Little of Kalamazoo, and Prof. Beal spoke at length upon the Clawson 

 wheat, which in the past year had materially improved in quality, being more 

 ilinty and making better flour. 



Mr. Parsons offered a resolution, which was adopted : That we have great 

 faith in and should foster and encourage the Michigan State Agricultural 

 Society; that as the crown of the County Societies, it seeks to develop all our 

 material resources. 



The following was unanimously adopted: 



liesolved. Thnt this association appreciates the efforts of tlie faculty of the Agri- 

 cultural College, not only in training their students, but also in the time given to 

 Institutes and experimental tests. We would earnestly recommend that more liberal 

 means be given the authorities of the College for the purpose of these practical tests 

 and experiments, and that the results be given to the farmers of the State. 



A vote of thanks was extended to Mr. Kichmond, president of the conven- 

 tion, for his indefatigable efforts in making the meeting a success. 



The time and place for Jiolding the next annual coavention were left with 

 the executive committee. 



Convention then adjourned sine die. 



CHAS. H. PvICnMOND, 



Fkaxk Little, Secretary. President, Ann Arbor, Michigan. 



Kalamazoo, Mich., January 22, 1880. 



