520 STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



What we really need now for the betterment of everyone is more farmers, farm- 

 ing scientifically and the State Fair of Michigan can do more towards promoting 

 this movement than any other agent, not excepting our Agricultural College at 

 Lansing, and what is more, it is our duty, because it is one of the fundamental 

 objects of an up-to-date State Fair. 



I respectfully suggest the following plan of starting the great movement of 

 ''back to the farm" throughout the great State of :Michigan. 



Organization of School: The Michigan State Fair Association will give 100 

 boys an opportunity to study the best methods in agricultural and animal in- 

 dustry at the State Fair in Detroit, September 16 to 21st, under the direction of 

 experts from the Michigan Agricultural College and other well known authorities 

 on stock raising, diseases of live stock, etc. 



Competitive examinations will be held in each district school under the super- 

 vision of the County Superintendent, and all boys between the ages of 14 and 19 

 years are eligible to take the examination, providing the applicant intends to 

 following agricultural pursuits. The five boys obtaining the highest credits in ex- 

 aminations will meet a committee composed of the Local Master of the State 

 Grange, County Superintendent of Schools and the Chairman of the County Board, 

 who will pass on the candidate's fitness to take the course, examinations to count 

 50 per cent and the knowledge of agriculture and general fitness the remaining 50 

 per cent. The candidate best fitted in the minds of the committee is to \oe given 

 a free trip to the Fair and all his expenses paid while In Detroit. 



A certificate will then be issued in duplicate to the winner by the County Super- 

 intendent, and upon receipt of the same the boy will retain one copy and forward 

 the other to the Secretary of the State Fair, Detroit, Michigan. 



All candidates are expected to arrive at the State Fair grounds not later than 

 Monday noon, September 16, and report to the State Fair office immediately. Boys 

 should bring towels, soap, comb, brush, collars, needle and thread and also a pair 

 of blue overalls, colored shirt and blue handkerchief which will be worn while 

 on parade. Valuable watches and jewelry must be left at home. Profanity or 

 dissipation of any kind will not be permitted. Rules and regulations similar to 

 those of any well organized camp will be laid down and any violation on the part 

 of the candidates means expulsion. 



Tents and cots will be provided by the State Fair in a permanent camping 

 ground established on the plot of ground opposite the Main Building. 



Five hours work each day will be required from the boys in cleaning up the 

 grounds and other light v/ork. The balance of the day will be taken up with 

 lectures and visiting the different exhibits in squads of ten or twelve under the 

 direction of Y. M. C. A. assistants. The boys will also be given opportunity of 

 assisting in judging in the show rings, agricultural and horticultural depart- 

 ments. 



Lectures each day will be given in one or more of the following subjects, by a 

 recognized authority. 



Animal Industry, 

 Dairy Products, 

 Agriculture, 

 Horticulture, 

 Road making. 

 Diseases of farm stock. 

 In addition to these lectures, we will have a talk from the Governor of the 

 State and one or two members of the Executive Committee of the Michigan State 

 Fair. 



In order that this program may be successfully carried out, a superintendent 

 must be appointed in charge of the work who will give his time and attention to 

 the numerous details in connection with the program, and the selection of this 

 superintendent, should in my mind, be made by the President and Business Com- 

 mittee. I think we can expect co-operation of the State Grange, Gleaners and 

 other worthy organizations in developing this movement. 

 There follows a detailed list of premiums and awards. 



Respectfully submitted, 



J. E. HANNON, 



Manager. 



