462 



While naturally concomitant, or closely following, is the marked im- 

 provement in the various kinds of stock generally raised, and in the 

 effect of attempts to combine the useful with the beautiful upon and 

 around farms and residences, that seemed divested of utility, by the en- 

 tire absence of that which tends to beautify and adorn. 



It was deemed advisable by the executive committee of the society, 

 to hold an intermediate summer exhibition, as well as the annual one, 

 and it was accordingly done ; bnt the result showed it to be of doubtful 

 expediency or benefit. But few articles were presented ; the exhibition 

 being attended in general only by those in the immediate vicinity ; and 

 ako, diminishing the number of articles brought to, and in some degree 

 lessening the interest felt in the annual and more general exhibition. 



At our Fair in 1855, the number of articles offered for premiums 

 was 695; in 1854, 577. The increase not being as great as we had 

 hoped for, in consequence of the very wet season, and farmers be- 

 ing busily engaged in putting in wheat, deemed every day of impor- 

 tance at so late a period in the autumn. 



The number of visitors, and consequently the amount of receipts, 

 was also much lessened by the inclemency of the weather on the last 

 day of the Fair. 



At the close of the exhibition, the Society listened to an eloquent 

 and instructive address, by Professor Welch, of the Normal School, at 

 Ypsilanti. 



The report of our Treasurer shows that, less $68 53 on hand at close 

 of former year, the sum of $1,035 73 was received by him during the 

 year, of which $498 was received from the county, and $534 65 paid 

 out by him, of which $432 75 was for cash premiums, leaving a bal- 

 ance in treasury of $501 08. 



At the last meeting of the executive committee, $600 was appropri- 

 ated toward the erection of a large, permanent building, on the grounds 

 of the Society, with the intention of completing the same as soon as 

 possible, without creating any indebtedness on the part of the Society. 



Much expense has been incurred in improving our fair ground, 

 which though small in extent, (being about 4 acres,) is very pleasantly 

 located and well adapted to the uses of the Society. 



The following were elected officers of the Society for the ensuing 

 year: 



