STATE AGKICULTURAL SOCIETY. 567 



DIVISION I. 



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



Sirs: — As acting superintendent of the division I at the last State fair, I would 

 respectfully report, that not expecting to act as superintendent of this department, I 

 did not give the matter that attention I should had I been originally appointed as 

 such, but will give such a report as I am able under the circumstances, aslving your 

 indulgence. 



The hall for the display and exhibition of manufactured goods was all that could 

 be desired, and I have often wondered that there was not a larger exhibition in this 

 department. Can not this body incorporate some plan into their future work that 

 shall bring out a greater interest? 



In class 40, " Home Made," there were 29 regular entries, in which there were but 

 two cases of much competition, to wit.: woolen stockings and cotton socks. While 

 seven entries were made in the unenumerated section, of these, I notice five entries 

 for woolen socks, and no premium, and would suggest a premium be oft'ered for that 

 article in the future. There was also an entry of 10 yards of linen cloth in the list, 

 upon which the viewing committee recommended a discretionary premium of $3.00, 

 An esliibition of long wool was made by Charles Proudley, of Jonesville. It occurs 

 to your superintendent that it would be a move in the right direction to offer 

 premiums for a display of wool samples. 



In class 44 but three entries were made, and those by Camp, Morrill & Camp, of 

 this city, as you will see by the list of awards. The show of silks, carpets, and rugs 

 by tliis firm was good, but of foreign manufacture. Can not some means be devised 

 by this Society that shall call out manufacturers of such goods, and induce an increase 

 of such in this State? 



In class 45 five entries were made, and by Holden & Tinker, all of this city, and to 

 them tliQ awards were made, as you will see in the printed list of awards. It seems 

 to me that there should be a large competition in this important class, and some 

 means should be taken to induce manfacturers to come out with their goods. 



The exhibition of articles of leather and India rubber, class 46, was larger than 

 those preceding; 30 regular entries appeared, and but little competition; Holden & 

 Tinker, Hobb & Bliss, and C. Delamater being the principal exhibitors. In the '■ not 

 enumerated" articles 1 find some that should go in the oft'ered lists, to wit: Display 

 of fancy lap robes, fancy blankets, hack harness, misses' and child's boots and shoes, 

 display of whips and trunks, for which tlie viewing committee recommend discre- 

 tionary premiums, and I would suggest such premium be a diploma. That there 

 were 15 of these unclassified entries shows that our list needs amending. The 

 displaj' of trunks, etc., made by Hobbs & Bliss was very creditable, as was also that 

 of harness by them. Holden & Tinker showed favorable in the line of robes and 

 blankets, while John Kelley was the only exhibitor of boots and shoes. 



In class 47, " Articles of Furniture," only 25 entries were made, and but eight of 

 tliese were in conformity to the regular list. Tlie center tables sliown by H. J. 

 Leighton, Ypsilanti, and the result of much labor, being inlaid of many hundred 

 pieces to each, yet the taste of arrangement may be questioned. Stuart, Hale & Co., 

 of Otsego, Allegan Co., were the only exliibitois of chairs, and those only of the 

 common styles. 



Very creditable was the displa.y of school and church furniture by the Michigan 

 School Furniture Co., of Northviile. The material was well selected, and the finish 

 and style good. The seats were easy to the sitter, and their noiseless hinges and 

 strength must commend them to all interested. 



In the ''not enumerated" list we find 17 entries, upon many of which discretion- 

 ary premiums are recommended as marked in the committee book, and the committee 

 upon premium list are invited to see if some of these articles cannot be inoiuded in 

 the list. 



Attention is particularly directed to the numerous entries of spring bed bottoms, 

 etc., also to burial caskets, cases, etc. 



The number of competing entries in class 48 was 19; 4 of which were under the 

 head of '-not enumerated," and discretionary premiums are recommended as noted 

 by A'iewing committees. 



In stoves, the Michigan Stove Company was the only one exhibiting for premiums, 

 and to them were awarded the prizes of the several articles of the list. These stoves 

 were shown by Warner & Dodge, of this city. A fine exhibition of stoves was made 

 by Pratt & Gibson, as follows: The "Occident," wood and coal cook stove; Tefft's 

 wood cook stove ; '• Crown Jewel," base burner coal stove ; " Gazelle," soft coal stove ; 

 and " Laurel," wood stove, by the Detroit Stove Works. "Climax" base burner coal 



