STATE AGKICULTURAL SOCIETY. 479 



I wish to say one word iubehalf of exhibitors. It is well known by us all that it is 

 with the greatest amount of labor, anxiety, and exposure of their property that 

 exhibitors patronize our ftxirs, and, while we think it an object for them witli all they 

 have to contend with to attend the fairs, we know it is an object for us to have them 

 there, for we could have no fair unless animals and articles were placed on exhibition.. 

 I therefore deem it of the utmost importance that we should use every means in our 

 power to make the task easy and pleasant as possible for them. 



Our premium list I believe to be liberal, — fully as much so as is profitable for the' 

 society, and I would not recommend any increase as a whole to the list. I look upoiv 

 the speed department of our fair with no more favor than I did a year ago; Avould: 

 be glad to see it stricken from our list, as I sincerely believe it to be a kind of busi- 

 ness which we should not encourage. The pool stand, which seems to be a necessary 

 appendage for the pleasure and profit of that department, was in full blast on a con- 

 spicuous part of the ground at our fairs, and I must say it annoyed me exceedingly. 

 It does seem to me that in this enlightened and pi-ogressive age pool selling should 

 not be tolerated by our society. It is a disgrace to our fair, a disgrace to our State, 

 and a burning disgrace to you and to me to allow it; and I here and now enter my 

 most earnestand solemn protest against any such proceedings being permitted on 

 our fair grounds in the future. The object of this society, as I understand it, is to 

 improve the condition of our fellow man. It is an educator either for good or evil. 

 If our examples are what they should be we may expect good results. If they are 

 bad we may expect bad results; and we, gentlemen, are responsible for these results. 

 A damnable example is worse than no example at all, and it seems to me that you 

 should give this subject your most earnest and candid consideration. 



It is with special satisfaction that I speak of the pomological department. I think 

 we have all of us been growing more and more interested in the workings and grand 

 achievements of the men that have been engaged with such wonderful energy in the 

 advancement of this important branch of industry. Their success at Chicago and the 

 exhibition at our own State Fair was very satisfactory, as well as gratifjang to all, 

 and I do believe their successful efforts demands of us all the encouragement it is pos- 

 sible for us to bestow. 



The centennial is near at hand, and I fear we are not giving it that attention which 

 so rare an occasion demands of us; and I would suggest that it shall be a part of the 

 business of this meeting — and an important part — to instruct and provide our Cen- 

 tennial Committee with suflicient means, that they may be able to cooperate with 

 other committees of the State, and thus jointly be enabled to make such an exhibi- 

 bitiou at Philadelphia of the products of Michigan as will do us credit, and that we 

 shall remember with pride. The evidences of European interests in the centennial 

 are gratifying, and should inspire our own people to renewed endeavors to make it a 

 success worthy of the nation and the anniversary; and I desire to impress upon the 

 members of this committee and upon all friends of the industrial interests of this 

 State the importance of urging our people to send to the exposition a full assortment 

 of their respective products. "Phis is our opportunity, and should we not meet it I 

 fear it will ever be regretted. Who of us can expect to celebrate a second centennial? 



Mr. Baxter moved the appointment of a committee of three upon the Presi- 

 dent's address, to assign the several subjects therein treated to the appropriates 

 committees. 



Adopted. 



Tlie President appointed Messrs. Baxter, Webber, and Ferry as such com- 

 mittee. 



Tlie Secretary presented the annual report of the Society for the current year 

 and proceeded to read the same, wlien on motion of Mr. Baxter, the reading of 

 the minutes of the Annual Winter Meeting, at Pontiac, was omitted, and the 

 proceedings of the several meetings at East Saginaw, was proceeded with, and. 

 completed. 



Col. AVm. M. Ferry called for the reading of the resolution offered by Mr„. 

 Baxter, and adopted at the Pontiac meeting, making appropriations to the 

 State Pomological Society ; and the resolutions were read. Col. Ferry chilled, 

 for the reading of the report of tlie Centennial Committee, adopted at:]^as.i3^ 



