11 



More than tlie requisite sum was raised by the Society, and the ap- 

 propriation by the State was secured. 



The act also provides for a like appropriation, to be paid in a like 

 manner and upon the same conditions, during each year for the term 

 of five years, including the year 1849. 



For the first annual Fair the Executive Committee made an appro- 

 priation of one thousand dollars for the payment of premiums. 



The amount appropriated the second year for the payment of premi- 

 ums was two thousand dollars. 



It has always been the wish of the Executive Committee to extend, 

 each succeeding year, the premium list, as well as to increase the 

 amount of each award. In order to carry out this design the treasury 

 must be supplied with a sufiicient amount of money to meet the de- 

 mand thus occasioned; consequently in January, 1851, the following 

 petition was presented to the Legislature, viz. : 



To the Hon. the Legislature of the State of Michigan: 



The undersigned respectfully represent, that while it is universally 

 admitted that the farming interest of the State is its great and import- 

 ant interest, it is equally well known that that great source of our wealth, 

 prosperity and happiness as a people, has been more neglected than 

 any other, both by the General and State Governments, and we feel 

 that the time has now come when this evil should be remedied. We 

 therefore request, that your honorable body would appropriate the sum 

 of six hundred dollars annnually for the next three years, in addition 

 to the sum already appropriated, to be placed at the disposal of the 

 State Agricultural Society, under such rules and regulations as may be 

 deemed just and proper, to be distributed as premiums by said Society, 

 for the purpose of encouraging Agriculture, Domestic Manufactures, 

 and the Mechanical Arts connected with Agriculture. 

 State of Michigan, January, 1851. 



The Legislature granted this petition so far as to appropriate, instead 

 of the orifrinal sum of $400, the sum of one thousand dollars for the 

 year 1851, and one thousand dollars for the year 1852, upon like con- 

 ditions as before. 



The sum appropriated by the Executive Committee for the payment 

 of premiums for 1851, was $2,000; for 1852, $2,500; for 1853, 

 $3,500; for 1854, $4,500. 



