578 STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTURE. 



judges having been published need not be further referred to here. None of 

 them were contested. 



Several applications having been made to the board to rent the use of the 

 fair grounds, we have made a lease for the year 1877 to Mr. John C. Dayton, 

 for S150 and certain stipulations for keeping the grounds in repair, that being 

 the best offer made. 



For statement of the finances we refer you to the report of the treasurer. 



All of which is respectfully submitted for tlie board of manaofement. 



F. H. KANKIN", Secretanj. 



Flint, December 31, 1876. 



HILLSDALE COUNTY. 



In compliance with statutory provisions of the State, and the requirements of 

 our own organization, the Hillsdale County Agricultural Society submit a copy 

 of their 2Gth annual report. 



The results of the year now closing with the agriculturists of the county are 

 probably similar to those of other sections of our common country. The depres- 

 sion in most classes of business, the shrinkage in values of laud and every class 

 of products has tended to make the times hard, and as a result the effort to 

 production has not been pressed with former zeal, but few looking farther than 

 to meet the necessities of the year. 



Our crops were generally of good growth, but the cultivating season of June 

 and July w\as so very wet and hot that it resulted in an impaired quality of 

 Avheat and corn, two of our leading products, the first by rust and shrinkage, 

 the second by weeds or non-cultivation ; consequently our harvest was inferior 

 to many former ones, but sufficient for home consumption witli something to 

 spare. 



The hay crop was large. Clover because of continued rains was very much 

 damaged in curing. Other grasses being later produced a very fine quality of 

 hay. 



The potato crop was unusually poor, in fact, the poorest ever raised in the 

 county. We can hardly account for the failure. The vine was seemingly 

 thrifty. — bugs more so, but by persistent effort they were held back from exces- 

 sive damage, — yet with the best of cultivation very few tubers formed, and these 

 of inferior quality. The temperature of tlie season and care bestowed should 

 have given a large crop, especially of the early varieties. 



The oat crop was large in growth, but light in berry. Many fields were 

 nearly spoiled by rust. 



Our fruit crop was very fair, and for want of a market it was a drug on our 

 hands. What was marketed hardly paid expense, and the question is often 

 asked if we are not overdoing this branch of agriculture. 



We note steady and increased interest by the farmers in the selection and 

 breeds of their domestic animals. 



Many very valuable foundations are being laid for herds of the noble Short- 

 horn. Our feeders have learned of their intrinsic value for beef-producing, 

 and everything of high blood "not held for breeding purposes," is seized with 

 avidity for feeding purposes, even at fancy prices. 



