STATE AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. 407 



Mr. A. Sidney King, a machinist and manufacturer, was introduced and 

 spoke upon the consideration due the ch^ss of industry he represents, and pre- 

 sented tlie following paper, which was read : 



To the Honorable the Executive Committee of the Michigan State Agricultural Society : 



We, the luidersigued, manufacturers of the State of Michigan, would respectfully 

 submit to your consideration some suggestions looldng to the better encouragement 

 of exhibitors of farm implements, in the Division F, as enumerated in your premium 

 list of 1874, and included in the five classes from 33 to 37, inclusive ; and we would sug- 

 gest that while a trial test of the leading articles in these classes would be most de- 

 sirable, the history of such attempts at trials as have been made or can be made during 

 tlieir yearly meetings, are at the best miserable failures, for various reasons beyond 

 the control of both the society and exhibitors, and would recommend their discontinu- 

 ance in the future. 



That these five classes include all the prominent tools used by farmers, and their 

 importance is hardly recognized by the ofter of premiums. That the manufacture of 

 these implements is an important branch of the industry of the State at the present 

 time, and we thiuk demands at your hands a more important consideration than it 

 has received from your society in years past ; and we would further— by way of com- 

 parison between this branch of industry and others which j'ou recognize— call your 

 attention to tlie comparative estimate byway of premiums, our manufactures seem to 

 be held in by your society. The five (5) classes above referred to are awarded a cash 

 premium, all told, of seventy-four (74) dollars, while in Division G, Class 40, vehicles, 

 one class of no more importance than any one of the five classes enumerated, you offer 

 some two hundred dollars cash premiums. Division I, Class 43, home-made goods, 

 representing no particular capital invested, you ofier premiums, one hundred and 

 twenty-three dollars cash; and so we might continue the list. While we do not com- 

 plain of the past action of your society in this matter, tlie growing interest of busi- 

 ness in this department demands at your hands a proper consideration, and we trust 

 that it only needs your attention to be called to this matter to have it amended. We 

 think a proper consideration of this matter would warrajit j'ou in oftering two hun- 

 dred dollars to each of the five classes referred to ; and with a view to call out a still 

 better exhibition of these articles, we suggest that you ofter a first and second premi- 

 um of the above amount on the prominent articles in each of those classes. Say Class 

 33, ploughs should be the important article and should constitute this class, only two 

 premiums to be given, 1st and 2d. Class 34 includes cultivators and harrows: let 

 wheel cultivators be the prominent article in this class, with first and second premi- 

 ums : small cultivators and harrows as now, a nominal sum as premium. Class 35, seed 

 drills cover this class, two premiums, first and second. Class 36: the prominent arti- 

 cle in this class is the wheel rake — first and second premium on this ; minor articles in 

 this class to remain as now. Class 37: this class includes as imi^ortant articles, feed- 

 cutters, corn-shellers, horse-powers, and wood-saws, for farm use ; and we would sug- 

 gest that feed-cutters and corn-shellers should have a first and second premium, and 

 horse-powers and saws should make another class, with first and second premiums : minor 

 articles in this class to be the same as now. We ai'e of the opinion that such a change 

 in your premium list would call out a much larger display of tools in this department, 

 and would thereby promote both the interest of the manufacturer and the consumer, 

 and would thereby promote the interests of your society. We would recommend that 

 the style and finish of tools should have its proper consideration in making the award 

 of premiums, as tending to encourage a better class of manufactured goods. 



AXN ARBOR AGRICULTURAL CO., 

 DWIGIIT & BURRELL, 

 GALE MANUFACTURING CO., 

 W. D. KING & CO. 



Bills allowed. — John E. Wells, Deputy U. S. Marshal, East Saginaw, asked 

 $30; allowed $20. 



It was moved by Mr. Greene and adopted, that an additional premium of $10 

 be allowed Dr. P. L. Schuyler, of Lansing, for saddle horse. 



On motion of Mr. Beckwith, Division H was referred to a special committee 

 with instructions to change the awards in certain cases to medals and money, to 

 an amount not to exceed $200. Adopted. The President, on motion, was 

 made chairman, with Messrs. Beckwith and Kimball as such committee. 



