474 STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



The mnnber of entries was fifteen hundred and sixty. The total receipts were 

 $i2,30-t.Gi. The expenses were $2,135.27; leaving a balance on hand for the 

 year of $109.37. 



At the annual meeting in January, 1879, II. B. Fargo was elected presi- 

 dent, "Walter "Whitfield vice president, C. J. Church treasurer, and James 

 Satterlee secretary. It was voted to place the society on a more permanent 

 basis by organizing under the statute. Accordingly the necessary notice was 

 given and at the meeting called on the last Saturday of February new articles 

 of association were adopted, the same officers reelected, a board of eight 

 directors chosen and the society organized under Act 125 of Session Laws of 

 1871. The society includes the territory comprised by the counties of Mont- 

 calm, Ionia, Kent, Gratiot, Isabella and Mecosta. 



The third annual fair was held at Greenville on the 30th of September and the 

 1st, 2d and 3d of October, 1879. Tlie number of entries was seventeen hun- 

 dred and eighty. The total receipts were §2,748.59. The expenses were 

 §2,539.24; leaving a balance for the year of $209.35, and a total balance for 

 the three years of §508.51. 



"We feel greatly encouraged at the success of the society thus far. The 

 exhibitions have been of high order of merit, and the interest taken by all 

 shows well for the enterprise of the people of Montcalm and surrounding 

 counties. 



The society hopes to make arrangements for the purchase of the grounds of 

 the Greenville Driving Park Association, on which our fairs are annually held. 

 They are conveniently located and very pleasant, and the track is one of the 

 best in northern Michigan. 



JAMES SATTERLEE, Secretary. 



Dated Greenville, December 1st, 1879. 



SAGINAW COUNTY, 



The corn crop for 1879 was very good, although somewhat injured 

 by the worm. Our hay crop was light. Our wheat crop was good, and better 

 than our average ; I think Saginaw county averaged 25 bushels per acre. Po- 

 tatoes were scarcely a medium crop, having been injured by the dry weather of 

 July and August. The oat and buckwheat crops were also light from the same 

 cause. 



The exhibition of stock at our last fair, as regards quality, was never ex- 

 celled in this county. The exhibition of Short-horns was exceedingly fine, 

 which I must say is one of the best signs that Saginaw is going ahead. "We 

 had a splendid herd of Holsteins, which fact speaks well for the enterprise of 

 our people. The Jerseys were well represented. "We had a very good show of 

 draught and carriage horses. Sheep — we cannot say a great deal about this 

 most profitable animal ; our county is very new, and the danger from dogs has 

 been very great; though as the forests get cleared they will be introduced 

 more, for there is no question about there being profit in sheep. Swine — the 

 exhibition of Poland-Chinas, Berkshires and Essex was very good. Much 

 credit is due to our breeders for the improvement they have made in this class. 



