588 STATE BOARD OF AGRICULTUEE. 



The condition of the society now_, compared with five years ago, is most sat- 

 isfactory. At that time the society was in debt $8,000, bearing 10 per cent 

 interest, and secured by mortgage on the grounds of the society. During tlie 

 five years just past $3,500 of this sum has been paid, together witli the annual 

 interest on the whole mortgage. During this time the society has also erected 

 and jpaid for the following buildings on the grounds : 



A floral hall costing $904 10 



Addition to dweUing and stabling- 108 00 



Dining hall 24x72 feet, with ladies' waiting room above, and kitchen 



16x24 feet in rear 784 44 



Maldngasimi of.. $1,796 54 



One thousand seven hundred and ninety-six dollars and fifty-four cents ex- 

 pended in permanent improvements in five years. 



The wheat crop never looked finer in this county than in May and June, ' 76, 

 but the result at harvest time was not so good a crop as was anticipated. The 

 growth of straw was large, but the wheat was generally shrunken and of light 

 yield compared with the amount of straw. 



Corn was unusually fine on the opening lands in the county, but on the tim- 

 bered lands was rather a poor crop. 



Potatoes Vv'as quite a failure throughout tlie entire county. 



The hay crop was very fine. The crop of clover seed was good and is a source 

 of a good revenue to our farmers. 



Tlie cultivation of the rutabaga is still on the increase in the county, and in 

 the northeastern part of the county the farmers are making a specialty of rais- 

 ing them for the southern and southwestern market, some 30,000 l)ushels hav- 

 ing been shijjped during the last season from tlie two stations on the Detroit & 

 Bay City Eailroad, Orion and Oxford. 



C. K. CROFOOT. 



SHIAWASSEE COUNTY. 



The Shiawassee County Agricultural Association held its seventeenth annual 

 fair on their grounds in Owosso, on the 27th, 28th, and 29th days of Septem- 

 ber, A. D. 1876. 



Considering the weather at the opening, the fair was a success, both as to 

 exhibition of articles and as to attendance. 



The total number of entries was 1,344, with a usual fine display of horses, 

 cattle, sheep, and poultry. 



Our premium list is kept thoroughly revised ; the officers have the confidence 

 of the exhibitors, and the association gets the liberal support of the people. 



Ploral Hall was filled with works of art, flowers, needle-work, etc., and very 

 handsomely arranged ; fruit and vegetables were especially well represented. 



The premiums awarded amounted to $931.25, — total receipts, $1,353.50. 

 There were 759 members. 



The following officers were elected : 



