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The tenor of this section of the Constitution, these laws, and these 

 letters, appear to call upon you to take another step in this matter, by 

 appointing a committee from your own body to confer with the Board 

 of Education, and the Regents of the University, respecting an Agricul- 

 tural Department of the Normal School or the State University, in or- 

 der that the provisions of the constitution and of these laws may be 

 carried into effect as speedily as possible. Then Michigan may boast of 

 having established the first State Agricultural School and Experimental 

 Farm, in the Union. 



While Massachusetts, New York, and other States are talking, and 

 considering and reconsidering, and accomplishing nothing in this regard, 

 let us act, for the agriculturists of Michigan feel a deep interest respect- 

 ing the school we seek to establish, and they very naturally ask you to 

 act, and act at once. 



I also present for your consideration, a petition with accompanying 

 documents, from Mr. E. C. Roberts, of Plymouth, respecting the po- 

 tato rot. 



Our rules and regulations for conducting our annual exhibitions, also 

 our premium list, will need a careful revision. Some of the classes 

 should be extended, and perhaps some new ones added. Much com- 

 plaint has been made respecting the premiums for Sheep. You have 

 a list for Merino; but we have on exhibition at our fairs, specimens of 

 French Merino, Spanish Merino, and a cross of Spanish and French Me- 

 rino. All of these are Merino sheep, yet three distinct classes, or va- 

 rieties — each claiming the superiority over the others in quantity and 

 quaUty of wool, in constitution, and quality and quantity of mutton. At 

 the same time, the breeders of each of these classes ask for a separate 

 list of premiums for each. 



The Leather Manufacturers ask you to add a list of premiums for their 

 benefit. This branch of business has become one of great importance 

 to our State, and should receive your special attention. Tlie same may 

 be said of other branches of Manufactures — steam engines, household 

 furniture, drain tile, &c. — all coimected with the prosperity of our State. 



Many questions arise in the minds of exhibitors respecting animals of 

 pure blood. Breeders of stock understand the term " pure blood," to 

 mean an animal of but one blood, as pure Devon, without mixture of 

 Durham, Ayrshire, or any other blood whatever ; but some exhibitors 



