564 STATE BOARD OF AGEICULTUEE. 



Here let us say, that before and during the fair, we had many evidences of good 

 feelino- manifested towards the State Fair and its conductors, by the people of Jack- 

 son. There was exhibited before your committee 362 liorses, classed in tlie following 

 manner: roadsters, 68; thoroughbreds, 12; gentlemen's driving horses, 59; horses of 

 iill work, 67; breeders' special premiums, 43; carriage and buggy horses, 60; draft 

 horses, 48: saddle horses, 5 ; total, 362. Also a small exhibition of jacks and mules. 

 The exhibition spoke for itself, being pronounced by many old fair-goers, the best 

 general horse exhibition they had ever witnessed. 



We thank the exhibitors for their kind and gentlemanly behavior towards us from 

 the beginning to the close of the fair. We need not speak of any individual exhibi- 

 tions, thej^ were all good. 



We close by saying we had a pleasant time, feeling fully repaid for any effort we 

 may have made, by the good feeling manifested by all interested, as well as by the 

 ;spectators generally. 



A. O. HYDE, 



D, W. HOWARD, 



Superintendents. 



DIVISION C— SHEEP AND SWINE. 



To the President and Executive Committee of the State Agricultural Society : 



I did not expect to be called upon for a report, as it is expected that the chairman 

 ■or first appointed will perform such duties, and the others assist him wliere needed; 

 but a few days ago I received the entrj^ books, with a request to make a report on 

 classes 19, 20, 21, 22, and 23, and without any previous preparation I will submit 

 the following: 



In class 19, American merinoes, there was not a large show for a State like ours, 

 but the quality was good. There were 35 entries, including 61 head ; IS prizes offered, 

 15 awarded, and one discretionary recommended. I think there has been some ill 

 feeling by exhibitors that have shown in this department, on account of judges, and 

 would suggest that there be a meeting of fine-wool breeders called, and let them 

 choose the judges by a majority vote. 



Class 20, middle wools, there was a good, and a large show. The breeders of this 

 kind of sheep have been scattering, but probably are increasing. There were 36 

 entries, including 82 head, 18 prizes offered, all of which were awarded. 



Class 21, long wools, there was a fine show, they taking the lead in numbers. 

 Evidently, this kind of sheep are being better appreciated. There wei-e 42 entries, 

 including 87 numbers; same prizes offered, also awarded. 



Class 22, fat sheep. Probably the change in the premium list brought out more, 

 and a very creditable show; 30 being shown; 15 middle wools, and the same of long 

 wools, making 10 entries, with 6 awards. If the premium list could be arranged so 

 as to afford more money for this department, I would ask if it might not be best to 

 offer premiums on grade ewes of the different classes. It would be likely to bring 

 out another class of exhibitors. I believe that premiums should be offered on as 

 great a variety as would add interest to the show, so as to pay as many as possible to 

 help make it a success. 



Class 23. — It is unnecessary for me to state that the exhibition of swine was the 

 largest and finest ever made by this Society. Not in any other department have the 

 people been educated as much, nor has there been so great an improvement noticeable 

 as in this. 



Thei-e were 38 entries of Berkshires, 15 prizes offered, and 13 awarded. Probably a 

 mistake was make by the committee marking one or two premiums. Essex 30 

 entries, the same number of prizes offered, and all awarded; Suffolks 22 entries with 

 13 awards; large breeds, 31 entries, mostly Poland China, with 13 awards; fat hogs 

 and pigs, 8 entries and 5 awards; miscellaneous entries 2, making 131 entries, consist- 

 ing of 264 head. If I were to make any suggestion, it would be to offer a premium 

 on a boar and sow over six months and imder one year, and the four pigs to be under 

 six months old. 



AMOS F. WOOD. 



DIVISION D— POULTRY. 



To the President and Executive Committee of the Michigan State Agricultural Society : 



Gentlemen: — In compliance with the rules of the Society I herewith present a 

 brief report of the exhibition in Division D. Although I cannot speak from personal 

 knowledge of this as compared with the exhibition of former years, yet, from the 



