REPOKTS FEOM COUNTY SOCIETIES. 507 



practice in the management of fairs, npon Avliich at present there are diversities 

 of views. 



And here let me sa}^ that a convention of officers of agricultural societies of 

 Michigan was held at Kalamazoo, December 9, 1ST5, which, although not 

 largely attended, was intensely practical and interesting throughout. This con- 

 vention took under consideration the whole subject of agricultural fairs and 

 their official management. Xearly every topic bearing ujwn the subject was 

 ably discussed by gentlemen from Berrien, Van Buren, Allegan, Branch and 

 Ingham counties. The convention adopted a number of important recommend- 

 ations to agricultural societies, all tending to bring about uniformity of action 

 on the part of the county societies of the State, and at the close of the session 

 adopting a permanent form of organization, to be known as ''The Association 

 of Agricultural Societies of Michigan." The annual conventions of the associa- 

 tion are to be held on the first AVednesday in December in each year. I would 

 recommend that this society be fully represented at the next annual convention. 



The question was raised at our last fair as to the propriety of receiving entries 

 and awarding j^remiums to cxhiljitors residing out of the county. My own 02)in- 

 ion is, that there should be no restrictions of any sort, either as to time or place ; 

 that the general list should be absolutely free, the best articles or animals receiv- 

 ing the i^rize, no matter when made or where they came from. Special classes 

 could be made for all such as stand in fear of outside competition. 



Perhaps I ought not to close this report without reference to the fact that this 

 coming vear is a memorable one in the historv of our countrv : that it will stand 

 in the calendar as the ''Great American Centennial Year of Jubilee." Then, 

 again, it is the year for a general political campaign all along the line for the 

 election of a President and other officers of the general government. It is 

 thought by the philosophers and knowing ones that these two great themes will 

 so perfectly and wholly absorb public attention that all else not immediately 

 connected therevv'ith will be held insignificant and fail for want of support. 



Well, how this may be we cannot now say ; sometimes the effect of popular 

 excitement is to produce results the very reverse of Avhat was anticipated. If we 

 should hold a county fair and receive twice the patronage that we ever did before, 

 we would all say that these savans were mistaken. 



KoAV, Mr. President, I think I have covered all the ground of a report, and 

 asking pardon for having taken so much time from more important business, 

 will close. 



Following the adoption of the above report and the transaction of miscella- 

 neous business, the following officers were elected for the enduing year : 



President— \Y. H. Cobb. ' 



Secretary — Frank Little. 



Treasurer — W. H. McCourtie. 



Executive Committee — Chas. E. Z\lorrison, Wni. Bair, Ja-. AV. Parkhurst, 

 Clias. Ransom. 



At a meeting of the officers of the society the time for holding the annual 

 fair for 1876 was fixed to commence Tuesday, September 26th, and to con- 

 tinue four davs. 



