620 



meeting in December, 1854, took a survey of their position and resolved 

 that the Kent society should take a long stride in progress and im- 

 provement, if in their power to keep it along. The Society had no 

 ground for its shows except as it could secure the favor, here and there, 

 from year to year, consequently no pains had been taken to improve a 

 piece except for the time being. It was resolved to lease a plat of 

 ground for a term of years and make such improvements as could be 

 made. But the Society had no funds to fall back upon, and all that 

 could be done was to look to the future and trust to ffood fortune. — 

 Through the indefatigable exertions of our President an eligible piece 

 was obtained within the city limits of Grand Rapids, at a mere nominal 

 cost, the lumber obtained, and a good, tight and substantial board fence 

 constructed around it, and two or three small rustic buildings put up in- 

 side for show purposes, all the expense of which was assumed by the 

 President personally. The grounds were quite appropriate, being in- 

 tersected by a limpid brook that skipped across it. The fencing, grub- 

 bing and grading of this ground cost the sum of $378 72 — rather a 

 large sum to stare a society in the face that had not as yet been able 

 to raise scarce a hundred dollars annually. But the executive committee 

 bad abiding faith in their purposes, and went straight forward with- 

 out any fears for the result. They also launched out on the premium 

 list and quadrupled it over any former year. The public, particularly 

 that in the older portions of the county, seconded the spirit of the com- 

 mittee, and, as the result proved, awarded a greater success to their eiTorts 

 than they had dared to hope for. 



Our fair was held on the 25th, 26th and 27th days of September, 

 and the weather proved auspicious for the occasion. Owing, however, 

 to the backwardness of the seeding and the hurrying times with 

 farmers, made doubly so by the unusual amount of untoward w^eather 

 previously experienced, the exhibition and attendance from the country 

 around was not so large as it would have otherwise been. Still the 

 show and attendance was quadrupled over any former year. The first 

 day was devoted to entries, which was continued on the second until 

 eleven o'clock, after which the several committees made their examina- 

 tions and rep'uts. On this day the grounds were much thronged. 

 The third day gave us a jam of spectators, and we found our conven- 



