498 STATE BOAED OF AGKICULTUIIE. 



The annual election resulted in the following choice of officers for the ensu- 

 ing year : 



President — H. 0. Farnam, of Benzonia. 

 Secretary — J. J. Hubbell, of Benzonia. 

 Treasurer — L. W. Case, of Benzonia. 



J. J. Hubbell, Secretary. 



W. 8. HUBBELL, President. 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



In comjjliance with the provisions of lav/ governing agricultural societies in 

 the State, we herein transmit our report of the Hillsdale County Agricultural 

 Society for the year IS'* 5. 



We do this the more cheerfully because an experience of twenty-live years 

 teaches us their value as auxiliaries (when properly managed) in elevating the 

 standard of agriculture in the land ; the result of which tends to the moral and 

 social advancement of the people who rea}) the fruits thereof. 



We have . so often alluded to the topographical and geological formations of 

 our county, with its natural and acquired advantages, in former reports, that it 

 has become a well understood fact that its adajitability is preeminently for 

 mixed farming. So permanently has this idea become hxed in the minds of 

 the cultivators that he Avho should venture upon a specialty would ))e looked 

 upon at once as a person of unsound mind, likely to bring up in a short time at 

 the door of the Kalamazoo reformatory. 



The season now closing, unlike its ])redecessors of the last five years, has been 

 wet and cold in comparison for this latitude, yet the returns are good in quan- 

 tity, but deficient in quality Avith most productions. 



Our Wheat Avas nnusuallv good in bushels, but deficient in starch and gluten. 

 shoAving the effect of an oAer-supply of moisture. 



Our Oats and Peas were very fine, the former threshing in places as high as 

 80 bushels per acre. The army Avorm in some localities did serious damage. 

 It Avas Avorst on Ioav, clayey or muck lands. 



Oiir Corn had a large groAvth, but the quality of grain is beloAV the usual 

 standard for this county ; the need of Avarm Aveather for the early ripening of 

 the grain Avas very marked. 



Our Potato CrojJ was good ; very little damage from the beetle, some not CA'en 

 using remedies. 



Our Hay Croii was A'cry good, mostly timothy and June grass, clover having 

 largely run out by the previous dry seasons. This Avill probably be restored 

 again, as the season has been so favorable that Avherever soAvn it has a fine stand. 

 There is also a broad area of winter Avheat soAvn in the county, and at this Avrit- 

 ing looks Avell. 



Our Herds are doing A'ery aa'cII and multiplying. The short-horn, in its purity 

 with its finest-strains, is fast becoming native to the manor born. Foundations 

 are already laid for a number of fine herds in the county. The Jerseys and 

 Ayrshires have their representatives here also. 



Our Floclcs are being preserved in purity, the fine-AA^ools largely predominating. 



