212 STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



DEPARTMENTAL EXHIBITS. 



A perusal of the comparative statement will show an increase in all 

 of the Live Stock Departments this year, and in taking up this subject 

 I desire to explain the conditions under which we are laboring, which I 

 am sure must be apparent to most of you. 



HORSES. 



We have outgrown our exhibit barns and it is necessary for us to do 

 the judging on the street as we have no other place. We had a splendid 

 exhibit this year both in the breeding and show horse classes. The De- 

 partment was handled in a very scientific manner under the supervision 

 of Mr. Prescott, and many complimentary remarks were made by the 

 horse-loving visitors. The show horse, in my opinion, will become more 

 popular each year, but I fear there will be a decrease in the draft horse 

 classes because of the use of the auto truck. 



CATTLE. 



We had a splendid exhibit of the beef breeds this year. The two car- 

 loads of fat steers made a decided hit and such exhibits should be en- 

 couraged. We can rest assured that this division of the Department 

 will be a success while under the supervision of Mr. Lessiter. . We had 

 about the usual exhibit of dairy cattle, but double the number of dairy 

 breeds we had on exhibition would, in my opinion, be only a fair showing 

 for Michigan. There are many good herds of daii*y cattle in the State 

 which should be encouraged to show, either by added premiums or better 

 conditions, possibly both. The cow test, which was suggested and ar- 

 ranged by Superintendent Norton, proved to be very interesting, and I 

 believe under his direction and with favorable conditions this Dej^art- 

 ment can be placed on a par with the beef breeds. 



SHEEP. 



I believe we had by far the best exhibit in the Sheep Department ever 

 shown at the Michigan State Fair. The barns were insufficient and it 

 became necessary to put some of the sheep in the Swine Barns. The 

 fine wools especially made a great showing. No complaints, whatever, 

 were received, and nothing but the highest complimentary remarks were 

 heard as to the treatment of our exhibitors and visitors by Superin- 

 tendent Coward. 



SWINE. 



In tliis department we had tliirty exhibitors, a larger number than 

 ever before. The show was of tlie highest quality and the barns were 

 nearly filled. Tlie exliibitors all seemed pleased witli the manner in 

 which they wore treated, and the efforts put forth by Superintendent 

 Ball in meeting them on their arrival any liour of the day or night made 

 a decided hit, not only in the Swine Department, but in otlier Live 

 Stock Departments. 



